Mrs. Olive Beth Pederson of Medicine Hat, beloved wife of the late Mr. Verne Pederson, passed away on Friday, August 14th, 2015 at the age of 87 years. Olive leaves to cherish her memory her children, Larry (Grace) Pederson and Dianne (Jim) Gogolinski; seven grandchildren, Erin Gogolinski, Jenna (Jason) Ranger, Drew Gogolinski, Mason Gogolinski, Tye Gogolinski, Ruairidh Pederson and Zachary Pederson; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Olive was predeceased by her husband, Verne; her parents, Fredrick and Evelyn Thompson; two brothers, Angus (Kae) Thompson and Alex (Magda) Thompson; and one sister, Jean (Frank) Eger. Olive was born on August 25th, 1927 in Coronach, Saskatchewan and was also raised and educated there. She trained at the Regina General Hospital as a nurse from 1946 graduating in 1949. Olive married Verne Pederson on September 27th, 1949 in Coronach and they moved to Medicine Hat in 1950. She worked at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital nursing in one capacity or another from 1950 to 1984 at which time Olive retired. Nursing was a profession that she loved and was a true passion and calling for her. Upon her retirement, her children had a pair of her old nursing shoes bronzed and mounted, with the inscription “To the Greatest Nurse Since Florence Nightingale on Her Retirement”. So great was her impact as a nurse that even 30 years after retiring, former patients would recognize her when out and about and give her a big hug of thanks for the loving care and attention they received from Olive. Olive was first and foremost a wife, a mom and a nurse. Her loving and accepting nature always saw the best in others, and she was always the first person to offer help to any who needed it. She loved to laugh and sing and dance whenever she had the chance, and enjoyed many good times with family and friends near and far. She faced every challenge and obstacle with a sense of acceptance and optimism, and displayed amazing grace and composure even in her final battle with cancer. She will be greatly missed by her family and many former nursing colleagues, as well as residents of her seniors’ complex in Medicine Hat. Her family wishes to acknowledge the wonderful compassionate care and support Olive received in her final months in the Carmel Hospice St. Joseph’s Home.

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