Olive M. Foltz

Olive M. Foltz, age 92, of Park Village at Dover, died early Wednesday, June 24, 2009 following a period of declining health.A daughter of the late Clarence and Yolo E. (Strahl) McCombs, Olive was born at Westerville, Ohio on March 20, 1917.A graduate of Westerville High School, Olive continued her studies receiving her formal education from Otterbein College and The Ohio State University, from which she graduated in 1939. In August of 1940, Olive married the love of her life, Robert Russell Foltz and shortly following their marriage, the couple relocated to Naugatuck, Connecticut. Before long, Olive and Robert began expanding the size of their family to include three children.Some would say that music was a way of life for Olive, and it was just that. For a many years Olive was known throughout Naugatuck and Watertown, Connecticut as she would spend numerous hours during the week teaching private piano lessons. In addition, Olive also taught vocal music to the hundreds of students who enjoyed learning from her as an educator in the Watertown School System. Moreover, Olive enjoyed the fellowship of those she sang with in the church choir and also served as the director of the children’s choir.There was much more to Olive than music, her talent for needlework was also quite well known. Smocking and knitting were just a few of the many elaborate talents that were shared by Olive’s use of cloth. She was proud of the fact that she learned both the art of tapestry work and hand weaving. Olive also enjoyed sending notes of encouragement and correspondence to friends and former classmates. Additionally, she wrote and presented numerous papers and piano recitals for the Naugatuck Women’s Study Club. She was also an amateur nutritionist and enjoyed keeping up to date on the latest health and food trends. Baking homemade bread for family and friends and preparing nutritious meals were yet another of Olive’s many passions and talents.Following the passing of her husband in 2004, Olive moved back to Ohio and settled in the Park Village Retirement Community at Dover; where she enjoyed making many new friends and spending time with her tablemates and the facility’s staff.Olive is survived by her loving children, Carolyn (Robert) Wallace of New Philadelphia, Ohio, John (Lynn) Foltz of Wilmington, Delaware, and Robert (June) Foltz of Tucson, Arizona; and a brother, F. Paul (Patricia) McCombs of Clearwater, Florida.Grandchildren, Shelley (John) Lynch, Larry (Melinda) Stahl, Becky (Gary) Collins, Eleanor Foltz, Margaret (Jason) Hiscock, Jayna (Mike McDermott) Wallace, and Jason (Annemarie) Wallace; great-grandchildren, Meghan White, Alexander White, Zachary White, Katie Stahl, Nick Stahl, Grant Stahl, and Addison Collins as well as numerous nieces complete the family. In addition to her parents and husband, a brother, C. Leslie McCombs preceded Olive in death. In keeping with Olive’s wishes, cremation care has been handled through Geib’s Tuscarawas Valley Crematory at Dover. A memorial service celebrating Olive’s life will be led by Reverend Dr. Steven Bailey on Saturday, July 25, 2009, at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. The family will receive guests one hour prior to the service from 10:00 â?? 11:00 AM. Immediately following the service the family would like to invite guests to join them in the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the funeral home, where a meal and fellowship will be shared.Those unable to attend may send the family personal condolences by signing the online guest registry located on the funeral home’s website.Memorial contributions in Olive’s name may be directed to the Music Fund of the First Congregational Church, 40 Deforest St, Watertown, CT 06795 or to the Music Fund of the First United Methodist Church, 201 West High Avenue, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.