Obituary

Jean Marie, fondly known as Jeannie, was born May 07, 1959, and adopted by Dr. Charles and Mrs. Faylene Thelen. Jeannie is survived by her husband Matthew (Matt) Oliverius, daughter Amberly Nicole Dorrell, stepsons Michael and William Oliverius, stepdaughters April and Valerie Oliverius (expecting). Her cousin (lovingly referred to as her brother) Greg Mitchell and wife Kathy and their children and grandchildren. Brother-in-Law Chuck Oliverius, and his wife, Kathy. Jeannie is also survived by her “fur babies,” Enola, English Setter; Nova, Newfoundland; Gracie, Border Collie; Bella, Rat Terrier mix.

Jeannie knew from a very young age that she was adopted. She felt so very blessed by this and so privileged to be the one and only child of Charles and Faylene that she proceeded to adopt others through out her life! Her cousin Greg was her “brother,” as far as she was concerned. They loved and scrapped with each other as all close siblings do!

She met Julia Pennington (12-30-58 to 12-30-19) during Julia’s adoption process and quickly adopted Julia as her “sister!” Jeannie met Jan (Connelly) Moline at age 9, during an All Faith Chapel Vacation Bible School (VBS) and they remained best friends until her passing. She met Heidi Shayla (Shayla) Rosofsky when Amberly and Heidi’s daughter, Shoshanna, were babies. Heidi and Jeannie remained “besties” through out Jeannie’s life. Jeannie also included Tammy Winslow-Kencke, and Nadia Kennedy amongst her closest friends. She had recently rekindled her friendship with Karin Randle and remained in touch with many high school friends through Facebook and the BHS Class of ’77 Facebook group.

Jeannie’s list of friends (names only, no other details) could go on for pages. She loved so deeply and so generously. She adopted those she loved, phoned/texted/messaged regularly and frequently. She was a vibrant, colorful, gregarious person who lit up the room when she entered! She was a renaissance woman who loved debate, research, medicine, sewing, quilting, knitting, and crocheting. She loved art, history, and learning about people, countries, and all things Americana. She was so proud of her father’s contribution to this country in both military service and scientific research. She was also very proud that her daughter Amberly had chosen military service as well. She was very proud that Amberly had attained her Bachelor’s Degree, and is teaching. She was proud of Amberly’s style, patriotism, love for others, and “the woman she is!” Jeannie loved Matt dearly. They worked and lived together. If she were away for a weekend, she called and/or texted him several times each day. They enjoyed time spent in Sedona through their time-share, cruises, caring for and walking the dogs, target shooting, wonderful meals she prepared. Matt was the love of her life.

As lively and happy as Jeannie was, her closest friends knew what she hid so well. Jeannie had some very serious health challenges. She dealt with extreme, debilitating migraines, endometriosis, and an auto-immune disorder that meant a life of chronic pain. Amberly was her miracle baby and Jeannie loved her with all she had. Still when the endometriosis meant that no other children would be possible she was very unhappy and grieved that she was unable to give Amberly a sister or brother.

Despite it all, or maybe because of it, she lived life to its fullest! She married young, to Amberly’s father, Loren Dorrell. The pressures of early marriage, economic, and health challenges pushed them apart. Never one to give up on love, Jeannie met and married Michael Stief. Sadly, her health issues and Michael’s focus on his business caused that marriage to fail eventually as well. Jeannie firmly believed the third time was the charm, and it was. She met and married Matthew (Matt) Oliverius. To say they lived happily ever after minimizes the business and economic challenges, the challenges of a blended family, even the challenges of two people living and working together 24/7, but the love they shared

made all of it work. The love they shared grew stronger with each and every challenge. She loved Matt so very much.

Jeannie’s ashes will be scattered in a private family ceremony. A memorial service will be held shortly and all the information will be listed in local newspapers in Avondale, Las Vegas, Orange County, and Ridgecrest and posted to Jeannie’s Facebook newsfeed. We apologize for the delay but are attempting to ensure that all those who wish to attend may be able to do so, even if multiple services are needed. Jean Marie Thelen (Jeannie) Oliverius was a force to be reckoned with, a force of love, of absolute passion for her English Setters, an abiding sense of “duty of care” to her family, friends, and fur babies of all kinds. Jeannie will be so greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to an animal rescue group of your choice, the English Setter Rescue Group, or a local Relay for Life team in Jeannie’s name. A birthday memorial party will be held May 7, 2022 in Las Vegas, NV. Time and location will be announced on Facebook. Email notices will be sent to those providing their email to janmoline@gmail.com, Subject Line:Jeannie’s BD Memorial.