Olive Viola Collins

Our dearest Olive Viola Collins, at age 11 weeks, passed peacefully in the arms of her parents on October 4th, 2024. 

Olive was born on July 18th, 2024 and was diagnosed prenatally with a severe congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Because of the likely short and poor quality of life she would have had even if the palliative surgeries were successful, her parents chose to enroll her in Starshine hospice care. And she was our Star that did shine. 

Many prayed before and after Olive was born that she would be healed and that the left side of her heart would grow. After she was born, she was a breastfeeding champion, a beautiful baby who was strong and grew to smile and coo and knowingly gaze into the eyes of those who beheld her. She captivated the hearts of everyone around her who will always remember the little miracle hypoplast in whom God grew a left ventricle that allowed her to outlive the predicted medical expectancy of 2-3 weeks. Though her medical diagnoses were more complex than we had imagined and her surgery after her heart grew proved to be too much for her, her life was still filled to the brim with hope, love and meaning. 

She taught us what it means to love sacrificially and unconditionally. We know through the dreams her father received and through the promise of God's word that she is flourishing and is living a happy life in A New World in heaven with Jesus. 

She is missed dearly in this world by her father (Joel), mother (Joy), and sister (Clara) who will always remember their special, vibrant, intuitive, happy miracle child. She is also dearly missed by grandparents, uncles, aunts, and everyone else who held her gaze or cared and fought for her inside and outside of the hospital. We ask that everyone remember what God did with Olive whenever they are in times of trouble, and to remember the hope we have in the triumph and promise of Jesus to heal our broken world and make all things new.

But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever. For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good. Psalms 52:8-9 

A memorial visitation will be held for Olive on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at Mueller Funeral Home (6791 Tylersville Road, Mason OH 45040) at 10:00 AM with service to follow at 11:00AM. 

 Please consider a donation to Starshine in Olive's honor, and may the God who heals be with you.