Olga Mercedes Waters was 96

DOWNEY - Long-time Downey resident Olga Mercedes Waters died in Olympia, Wash. on Jan. 10 at the age of 96.A member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, she attended daily Mass for years. Called "Grandma Ole," she was a supporter of Catholic missions. Born Dec. 25, 1912, in Colon, Panama, and was the second of nine children born to Elena Stevenson and Ramon Bejarano. She married Robert Neary Waters in the early 1940's who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her parents and grandson Gregory Berwick. She is survived by two daughters, Kathleen Elena Waters of Oakland and Nancy Ellen Moore of La Honda. An outstanding athlete in golf, she won multiple tournaments throughout Southern California. A self-proclaimed tomboy, she wore pants when ladies were advised to always wear gloves downtown. Her house was a boy's paradise with BB guns, trees to climb, and her knife collection. A funeral mass will be held today at 10 a.m. at the Church of the Resurrection in Sunnyvale, followed by interment in the Santa Clara Mission Cemetery in Santa Clara beside her grandson. A reception will be held at the Lima Family Mortuary in Santa Clara. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her name to the Maryknoll Fathers. ********** Published: January 23, 2009 - Volume 7 - Issue 40