Obituary of Olivia Pauline Roke
With broken hearts, we announce the passing of our beautiful Olivia Pauline. Olivia passed away peacefully at Victoria Hospital in London, Ontario on July 25, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Olivia was born on May 5, 1992, in London, Ontario to Linda (Williamson) and Gerald Roke. Olivia was affectionately called “Yaya” by her sister as a child, and it became a lasting nickname. She attended Lord Robert’s French immersion, Banting Secondary’s French program, and graduated from Western University, having studied Geology and Social Justice. She worked at TD for nearly a decade, continuing to use her French language in her work. Olivia had many passions in her life, and she pursued them all with deep enthusiasm.
She loved gardening, hiking, painting, travelling, the beach, the mountains, good food, board games, but most of all, she loved her family and her friends. If you ever asked Olivia to do something – whether it was grabbing a coffee, going for a walk, booking a trip, or anything else – without hesitation she would answer, “heck yeah, I’m down”. From a young age, Olivia had a love for food. She grew up watching Emeril Live, and her passion evolved into a deep appreciation for all things culinary—especially the storytelling and culture shared through Anthony Bourdain. Olivia valued nothing more than a good meal paired with a well-made cocktail. She loved supporting local restaurants and sharing her favourites with the people she loved. Olivia loved playing board games. She had a collection of over 50 board games and brought a selection to every social gathering. She also loved Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, and the Hobbit books and movies – watching them repeatedly. She loved the beach and the water—her love for it began with weekly visits to the YMCA and weekend trips to Port Stanley. If there was a pool or body of water nearby, you could guarantee she’d be splashing around or floating peacefully, soaking up the sun. She also loved the mountains. Visits to see family out west in 2003 and 2006 sparked a lifelong love for the Rockies. She spent a summer working at the Fairmont in Lake Louise and had many memorable adventures, including getting lost on a trail alone and calling her dad in Ontario for help. In recent years, she was fortunate to spend summer months in Alberta with her dear friend.
Olivia had a deep love for nature. She enjoyed hiking, “forest bathing,” and spending time with her feet in the grass. She always took the time to notice what others might walk past—stopping to examine a leaf, a tree, or a mushroom growing from a stump. Olivia was a thoughtful gift-giver, she never hesitated to compliment a stranger, and she was generous with her time and her money. She loved a good debate with friends and family. She had a quick wit and an extraordinary sense of humour that left a lasting impression.
Olivia loved her life and all of the people in it fiercely. She greeted every day with positivity and optimism, and this never wavered. While she was sick, she was more focused on making sure that everyone else was okay, and never once complained or felt sorry for herself. Olivia will be forever missed by her parents, Linda and Gerald (she was a daddy’s girl through and through); her best friend and sister, Teddie (“Boo-Boo”), and her loving brother-in-law, Colin (she loved her “Coco”); her grandmother, Pauline; her precious dog, Winston; and many cherished Uncles, Aunts, cousins and friends – who are too many to mention, but know that she loved you all. Olivia has gone to be with her Opa
Hendrik, Oma Cornelia, Grandpa George; Cousin Matthew; and her dogs, Lola and Lina.
Special thanks to the nurses and physicians at London’s cancer clinic and the oncology unit at Victoria Hospital for their care and compassion. We will always love you MORE, Yaya. Cremation has taken place.
A private funeral service will be held for immediate family. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.
