In Memory of Leo
I found out that a family friend had died yesterday. Leo Olivier was married to Beth Olivier and together they were one of my parents best friends. They lived in our neighborhood, were from Louisiana and had kids our age. My mom and Beth are so much a like that everyone mistakes them for sisters. They vacationed together, were a part of the same Mardi Gras Krewe, spent holidays together and had endless matches of Scrabble and Cranium.
Leo and Beth moved to Austin a few years ago to be closer to their two girls and grand babies so we didn’t get to see them like we used to. But mom called Beth all the time and caught up. They’d go to Austin and spend weekends with them or take bed and breakfast trips, the ladies shopping while the men played golf.
When I bought my first house, Leo let my ex borrow ladders and tools and helped with projects. They had us over for dinner and treated us like we were their kids, too.
Yesterday Beth just couldn’t wake him up. He’d passed in his sleep. He’d had a few health complications, but nothing that was viewed as fatal and he’d been recovering. He even played a bit of golf last week. It was very unexpected.
He was a really good man. Like, not average good — he was really good. He treated Beth like royalty. His girls never wanted for anything. He was always there to help, support and entertain. He was kinda quiet but really funny. And he could play the accordion like nobodies bidness. He was Mardi Gras King and he always knew how to pass a good time, chere.
RIP Leo. Thanks for the good times and for embodying what a real man should be. You touched a lot of people’s lives with your kindness and good nature. You’ll be missed tremendously.
This made me smile, and cry. Friends like that come across so rarely in a lifetime… I’m sure he knew how much he was loved.
My heart is with you and your family, as well as with Leo’s during this time. There’s a special place in Heaven for people that good.
<3
I know I got to meet Beth, but I don’t know if I ever got to meet Leo.
I’ve heard a ton of great things about him, and I know he will be missed by a lot of people.
i’m so sorry to hear this, ali.
Well I knew both of them for as long as I can remember!! They threw Charlie and I a wedding shower. I am still in shock from the phone call. It makes you realize how fast life can change. Leo was such a good man! He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and friend and will be greatly missed!!
He was a lovely man! Sorry to hear he is gone, but happy to agree with your thoughts of his greatness!