Olivia "Ollie" Aleman Vergara, 77, of Port Neches, passed away on Saturday, September 5, 2020. She was born in Port Arthur, Texas on June 24, 1943, to Marcial and Lilia Aleman. She was a proud graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School (1961) and graduated from Port Arthur College. Ollie was the first in her family to attend college. Her work career began at Phares and Phares Law Firm. She later was employed by Mobile Chemical and retired from DuPont Beaumont Works, after more than 20 years of service. She married the love of her life, Philip (Phil) Vergara of Port Neches, in March of 1970. They were married for 50 wonderful years and had one son, Erik Vergara.
As a young girl, she loved playing all sports. She played softball for Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and played volleyball at the YMCA. While in high school, she received the "Best All-Around Athlete" award. While attending TJ, she was honored to be a Bugle Sergeant, with the Red Hussars Drum & Bugle Corps. Later in life, Ollie participated in a city bowling league, for several years.
At an early age, her Dad taught her how to dance, to Big Band music, which she enjoyed very much and became an excellent dancer. Her hobbies included, reading, crossword puzzles and watching old movies. She also loved playing cards with her family. She greatly enjoyed her monthly gatherings, with her special Bunco group, that were together, for over 20 years. Ollie was fearless and enjoyed traveling. At the age of 20, she drove her cousins, to Mexico City, by herself. Later, she took her mother and sister on a cross country trip, to Washington D.C. After retiring, she celebrated her 25th wedding anniversary, touring Europe, with her husband, Phil.
Ollie, always placed family first, she was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and aunt. She loved her family and instilled wisdom and guidance to those around her. She had a beautiful smile, great sense of humor and an infectious and hardy laugh. Later in life, she faced life's challenges and health issues, with great courage and unwavering faith, as a member of Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church.
She was passionate about several charities, including the Red Cross, Heart Association and various Veterans support organizations, in honor, of her father's years of service, in the U.S. Army.
Survivors include; husband, Philip Vergara, son; Erik Vergara; granddaughter, Shelbie Meador (Jacob) and great-granddaughter McKinley; brother, David Aleman (Brenda), sister, Tina Paquet (Larry) and a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and loved ones.
Ollie is preceded in death by her parents, Marcial and Lilia Aleman, brothers Marcial Aleman Jr. and Carlos Aleman.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, September 11, 2020 at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Port Neches with Reverend Shane Baxter officiating. Entombment will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park.
Visitation for family and friends will also be held Friday, September 11, 2020 from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. with a Rosary recited from 10:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Levingston Funeral Home in Port Neches.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the above charities.