Olivia Stimac

Olivia Marie Stimac, beloved daughter, sister, niece, granddaughter, cousin and friend to everyone she met left us on Wednesday, October 25. Born on May 25, 1999, Olivia was a dynamic force of life that impacted her entire community. A passionate singer, Olivia graduated from Wood River High School in 2017 and had begun her studies at the College of Southern Idaho. Her high school times were filled with amazing choral experiences beside her sister, Bella, under the leadership of her father, Max, and with the invaluable support of her mother, Jaymie. Olivia and the Stimac Family have been the backbone of the choral program at Wood River during these past years. Studies in piano and voice with the Sun Valley Summer Symphony School of Music augmented her musical work in school. Constantly recognized for her exceptional voice and musical talents, Olivia participated for four years in the Idaho All-State Choir. She received first place rankings in district vocal competitions, representing this district well in state competitions. Her contagious smile was never more radiant that when she sang with her dearest friends in Colla Voce, WRHS’s select vocal ensemble. Additionally, Olivia found great delight in her love of computers and gaming which she joyfully shared with her Uncle Ben.
For all of Olivia’s musical successes, it was her generous spirit, kind heart, and curiosity about life that made her so very special and allowed her to capture our hearts. She was the kindest and most compassionate person in most every room she entered. She championed the underdog, stood up for the challenged, and advocated for improvements to the human condition at every opportunity. She was bold and respectful and always caring and danced outside of the box whenever possible.
Olivia’s seemingly endless zest for living and compassion for others was too often cluttered by the noise and darkness of her ongoing struggles with the illnesses of anxiety and depression. For years she had been waging a major battle with these diseases. And she was still battling. Even through this cloud, she found great delight in her time this fall as a music major at CSI. Her family lovingly embraced and supported her. Her teachers inspired and challenged her. Her friends were a constant comfort and source of motivation. She was soaring. Still the challenges attacked her. And in one unfortunate moment, she felt the need to stop the hurt and made a devastating choice. Seconds later, she found a renewed clarity and reached out for help, but it was too late. The physical damage was too great. And now the pain, the noise, the fear, and the darkness are gone and our lives have been changed. While it cannot be denied that Olivia made a choice to end her life, her final desire was to live. She has always been a bright shining light in our lives, and a true sweet melody. Her light can never go out for us, and we will hear her song forever.
Olivia is survived by her parents Max and Jaymie Stimac; sister, Isabella Rose Stimac; grandmother Sharon Rose; grandparents, Olaf and Marie Stimac, Sr.; her many aunts and uncles including Ben Anderson, godmother Cheryl (Wayne) Helmbrecht, godfather Jack (Jean) Stimac, Lonie Stimac, Olaf (Julie) Stimac, Jr., Ted (Candice) Stimac, Jay (Tim Searcy) Stimac, Krystal (Jason) Strang; and cousins Shannon, Kiara, Matthew, Tony, Mark, Theo, Brittany, John, Dana, and Steven.