Lydia Olivio Jankowski

95, formerly of Pembroke Pines and Hallandale Beach, was called to heaven on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022 at Memorial Hospital West, Pembroke Pines, after losing her courageous four-week battle with Covid pneumonia. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Feb. 28, 1926, she was the daughter of Angel Olivo and Maria Ferrer Balcells. As the oldest child, Lydia helped her mother raise a family of ten children. All her siblings looked to her as the matriarch of the family and as a loving, caring role model. Lydia came to New York City in 1943. She worked in the manufacturing industry and assisted with the war effort. She always had a soft spot in her heart for her beloved Manhattan. In 1965, Lydia relocated to Florida, where she worked in the hospitality industry and later trained in Cosmetology. She enjoyed a wonderful career in this field, turning customers into friends, before finally retiring from Hair & Co., Hallandale Beach in 2004 at age 78. She was a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church, Hallandale Beach for over 50 years. Throughout her life, Lydia was a daily reader of the Bible and wore out more than a few rosaries but the welfare of her family was always her highest priority. Lydia was preceded in death by her sister, Anacelia Baboun. She is survived by her daughters and sons-inlaw, Sandra (Francisco) Urbistondo, and Lydia Velazquez, PharmD (Michael Horan). She is also survived by the following brothers and sisters and their spouses: Miguel Angel Olivo (Eva), Rosa Maria Davila (Octavio), Jose Antonio Olivo (Milagros), Margarita Barsily, Francisco Olivo (Myrtelina), John Olivo (Rosemary), Rafael “Charlie” Olivo, and Bernice Scott (Roy). In addition, Lydia is survived by these grandchildren and their spouses: Alexandra Merkur (Jeffrey), and Natasha Tolba, PharmD (Dr. Khaled Tolba, MD). She is also survived by great grandchildren Iban, Omar and Isabella Tolba. Funeral arrangements are being conducted by Boyd Panciera Family Funeral Care, 1600 N. University Dr., Pembroke Pines. Friends may call Friday, March 4th, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 5th, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 542 Blue Heron Drive, Hallandale Beach. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (www.stjude.org). View online obituary at: https://bpfamilycare.com/obituary/ lydia-olivo-jankowski/