Linda Olivo

Linda Olivo, of Margate City, NJ, passed away Sunday, December 7, 2008 at her home after a ten year battle with breast cancer. She was 44 years old. She leaves behind a loving husband, Jim, and a beautiful 10 year-old daughter, Rachel.
She was born in Hillside, New Jersey and spent much of her childhood in the Lakewood, NJ area. She graduated from Lakewood High School in 1982. She received an undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from Trenton State University, a Master's degree in Human Factors Psychology from Steven's Institute of Technology and a MBA from Monmouth College.
Linda's professional life was spent mostly in support of the Federal Aviation Administration. Linda worked at the William J Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City, NJ since 1989, and had been a federal employee since 1994. Throughout her years there she focused on the operational suitability of several air traffic systems.
Linda was a breast cancer survivor for over 10 years. She received her diagnosis in 1998 while 7 months pregnant. Originally she was given excellent odds and the hope that she could be cured but even after enduring aggressive treatments to increase the chances of long-term survival, cancer metastases were found in her liver less than two years later.
Linda didn't sign up for this disease but accepted that she had it. Linda didn't want to be brave but needed to be, to live her life the way she wanted to live life. Linda was asked to give a talk at an awareness conference and spoke about how she wished no one would ever experience the devastation of a cancer diagnosis, but she knew that with God's strength she would get through it. She said that, "Instead of choosing to be a victim, I choose to be a victor!!"
Linda continues to be a shining example of how one can live a fulfilling, meaningful, professionally productive and exciting life at the same time as having a terminal illness. For the past 3 years, Linda had been participating in advanced graduate coursework and in August 2008 she received certificates in the studies of Systems Supportability and Engineering, and Systems Engineering and Architecting from the FAA and Stevens Institute of Technology. Linda recently enjoyed a family vacation to Italy and less than one month ago, and after the start of brain radiation treatment, Linda spent her last family vacation in Florida.
Linda will be greatly missed by many who looked to her for strength and a positive mental attitude. Her primary goal was to survive long enough for her daughter, now 10 years old, to know her as a loving mother and positive role model.
In addition to her husband and daughter, she is survived by Robert, Russell, and Eric Sanders.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her viewing Wed. December 10, 2008 from 6 to 8 PM at the Marinella Funeral Home 102 N. Third St. Hammonton. Visitation will be held Thurs. 11:00am at St. Joseph Church N. Third St. Hammonton. Mass of Christian Burial December 11, 2008 at noon at the church. Entombment will follow at Greenmount Cemetery, Hammonton.

Mass of Christian Burial

Thursday, December 11, 2008
St. Joseph Church 226 French Street Hammonton, New Jersey, United States 08037

Interment at: Greenmount Cemetery

Thursday, December 11, 2008
Greenmount Cemetery 124 S. 1st Road Hammonton, New Jersey, United States 08037