Olivia Slanzi Whitlow died on July 14 at The Messenger House Care Center on Bainbridge Island. She was 81.

She was born to Frank and Luigia Slanzi in Hurley, Wis., on March 25, 1927 and led an active life. Growing up, she was often out skiing or ice skating; in high school, she was a cheerleader.

After high school, she left Hurley and joined her sister, Doris in Kirkland. There she met David Whitlow through the Chancellor’s Club in Seattle.

Her love of skiing and fun led to many adventures. Some of the “ancient skiers” may remember the fun that was had on the long train trips to Sun Valley, Idaho or the weekend adventures to the Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood. There was some danger associated with these adventures. In the early 1950s, while skiing with two friends at Stevens Pass, they were all buried in an avalanche. Although buried up to her neck, Olivia directed rescuers to her two buddies, insisting that rescuers concentrate on finding them before digging her out. This sense of adventure was passed along to her children, who have been known to go down the wrong side of more than one mountain.

A good way to see Olivia at her best was to take a trip to Europe with her. On one trip she arrived in Rome with no reservations, drove to the top of the Spanish Steps in the heart of Rome, and found a wonderful room. On another occasion, she found a lovely hotel on a small Italian island that no American had visited. She loved good food and always found time for an afternoon gelato in Italy. During these Italy trips, she would also visit her relatives in Fucine and Cremona.

Olivia was a beachcomber. She loved to walk on the beach with her children collecting agates and interesting driftwood. She and David had a second home at Ocean Shores in the 1960s, before trading it for a room in Skiers Inc. at Crystal Mountain. They retired to a beach on Camano Island, until returning to West Seattle.

She was preceded in death by her husband, David Whitlow, who died last October, and two brothers and six sisters.

She is survived by her sister Rita of Camano Island and her three children, Marc Whitlow of El Sobrante, Calif.; John of Bainbridge Island; and Leslie of Kansas City, Kan. and their families.

Visitation will be held from 10:30 to 11 a.m. July 24 at Holyrood Catholic Cemetery Chapel, 205 NE 205th Street, Shoreline, WA 98153, with the funeral service to follow at 11 a.m. Entombment will follow at the cemetery.

An online guest book is at www.cookfamilyfuneralhome.com.