Olivia Vince-Swyers

Olivia Vince-Swyers age 75 passed away peacefully March 11th, 2023 while listening to Dream On by Steven Tyler. Born and proudly raised in the Harbor, ran the streets of Sunnyside and graduated from East Chicago Washington, class of 1965.

 *Words from Olivia* Don’t be sad for me and surely don’t expect to see me. My wishes are to not have anyone look at me when I die because nobody is going to do my hair right. There wasn’t a thing left to do in this world that I did not do. In the past 10 years I bungee jumped, rode the scrambler, zip lined through the Smokey Mountains, got my first tattoo and told off everyone that I wanted to. I would have liked to have gone to Italy to see where my *Vince roots* came from, but I ain’t sitting 12 hours on a plane where I can’t smoke or drink my Bacardi. I learned a lot from my Vince family in Ohio, so I guess that will have to do. I lived a sad life but my brother Don has always been by my side. We lost our sister Kathryn at such a young age then lost my husband Steve Pogatich in Vietnam while I had a 4 month old baby. I wasn’t sure how I could recover. I then married my childhood friend Phil who was wonderful and had blessed me with another sweet daughter. After 20 years Phil started getting on my nerves, so I went and married a guy named Chuck that I met at Porters Tap. Chuck and his son John came into my life 34 years ago and I have loved him dearly -for most of them. (Bubba can also get on my nerves at times) Chuck has truly been the most wonderful husband and has taken great care of me. He made sure I never did without, even up to my last days. I never had any sons of my own, but my son-in-law Brian is pretty darn close. That kid is one heck of a guy. My daughters Kathryn and Angela were my everything -well, until they gave me these 3 grandchildren. I had no idea how much I could love someone that I didn’t give birth to. I got 2 beautiful granddaughters Andria and Alicia & 1 handsome 6ft grandson Nate. I was blessed to live close by & I got to watch them grow into adults. I thought my world was complete until I was given 3 great-grandchildren. Once again, I was blessed with 2 more sweet little girls Paxtn & Dixie and 1 little boy Vince. Vinny was given my maiden name so he could carry it on.   

In lieu of flowers you can ....”Uh, no- you better send me my flowers!”

Mom’s dear friends that she lost along the way were Bob Berei, Phil Skaggs, Milan & Debbie Tatalovich, Janet Hatala, Soakie Rios & Carol Darnell.  

Visitation will be Thursday, March 16th, 2023 from 3-6pm with a 5:30 pm memorial service held at Hillside Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 8941 Kleinman Road (one block south of Ridge Rd) Highland, IN, 46322.

For additional information, please contact Hillside Funeral Home & Cremation Center Konnie Kuiper-Michael Kuiper-Vass by calling us at 219-838-0800 or visiting us at www.hillsidefhcares.com

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