Olivia Jastram

Celebration of Life for Olivia Neverson- Jastram

“My life is being given as an offering for God. The time has come for me to leave this life here. 7 I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have served the Lord faithfully. 8 Now, a prize is waiting for me—the crown that will show I am right with God. The Lord, the judge who judges rightly, will give it to me on that Day.” (2 Timothy 4:6-8a.) Olivia Jastram peacefully transitioned to be with the Lord so don’t be sad!
Olivia Neverson-Rusty-Jastram, a proud Caribbean-Panamanian, was the younger of two daughters born to John and Miriam Neverson on May 23, 1927 in the city of Colon Republic of Panama.
Olivia experienced a wonderful and loving childhood with her parents and sister, Lynda Etta Neverson-Basse. She attended Escuela Professional de Seniority School in Panama City for her first year of high school and for her second year, she returned to Colon City to attend a new school titled Colagio Abel Breno. During this time, her parents informed her that she would be accompanying her sister Lynda-Etta to New York due to her being admitted to the Institute of Fashion and Design. Upon Olivia’s arrival to the US, she enrolled in Girl’s High School in Brooklyn NY. She experienced great cultural shock. The reality that the climate in the US was not conducive to individuals whose first language wasn’t English. Consequently, most of Olivia’s high school courses from Panama were not accepted at the educational institution she attended resulting in her graduation being delayed. Despite the setback, Olivia continued her education, obtaining a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Nursing from Brooklyn College in May 1973 as well as she took master level classes at the same institution. She instilled the importance of education in her children, resulting in all of them obtaining higher education degrees.
Olivia met and married her first husband, Romero Rusty, a sailor in the US Navy. They had two daughters together, Lucia Rusty and Erlina Rusty-Edwards. They divorced years later. Olivia then met and married Louis Jastram, an auto-mechanic who owned and operated a transmission shop in Brooklyn. They were married 62 years until the time of his death in 2012. They had 2 children together, Rita Jastram-Williams and Alan Jastram (died February 2002).
Olivia Jastram had a successful career as a nurse for over 50 years. She started her nursing career as nurse’s aide. She quickly obtained her certification as a Registered Practical Nurse; followed by Registered Nurse certification and eventually a Bachelors of Nursing Degree. Olivia worked as a nurse in various settings from hospitals, nursing homes, community based organizations and the city of NY. She spent over 20 years working for the New York Public Schools, starting as a bi-lingual (Spanish) Public School nurse and retiring as a District Supervising Nurse. Because she worked in all levels of nursing, she had empathy for her direct reports and would always advocate for them when necessary.
Olivia was a pioneer for the mental illness community. Because her son Alan was diagnosed with a mental illness, she became a strong advocate for the mental ill! She served in leadership roles for both local and national chapters of National Alliance on Mental Illness. Her desire was to dispel the stigmatism surrounding mental illness.
Olivia had a great passion for her family and children. She was a devoted wife, daughter, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She would fight to the bitter end to protect her children, even to the end of her life. Olivia was a giver as she unselfishly opened her home to anyone who was in need. She was known for being very independent, astute and aware of her surroundings; very little got passed her. Her mind was sharp up until her death. She was also very feisty and would not hold back her tongue if she felt something was unjust. Her daughters affectionately called her “Chihuahua” because she came across demure and quiet until someone acted in a way that she deemed unjust, she would “tell it like it is.” Because of Olivia’s loving nature, people endeared themselves to her. She was able to garner the devotion of not only her daughters but anyone who encountered her from friends, family, pastors, her hospice nurse, social worker, doctor and caregivers. When Olivia called, we would jump!
Her greatest love was for Jesus. She was a woman of great faith who lived by the Word of God. On two occasions, she had Lazarus experiences, where she defied death by coming out of comas to live a full life. She was a mighty worshipper and prayer warrior. She was singing praise songs until her death. On Thursday, August 6, 2020, Olivia transition to her new life in heaven.
Olivia is predeceased by her beloved husband, Louis; son, Alan; her parents, John and Mariam Neverson and her sister, Etta.
She is survived by her three daughters, Lucia Rusty, Erlina Edwards and Rita Williams and their spouses; five grandchildren Ermina Perry, Arturo Levell, DeAndre Levell Sr., Lafayette Moses, MiLina Moses; 12 great-grandchildren Kaylah Levell, Kendall Traylor, Symone Traylor, Maxwell Levell, DeAndre Levell Jr., Olivia Levell, Lafayette, Aaron, Lennox, Amina, Laurryn and Lauraya Moses and 2 great-great grandchildren – Ayden Simon and Elise Padilla and a host of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Olivia asked that you not be sad for her leaving this earth. She desires that we live for God, fulfill His purpose and continue the family legacy of success. Olivia lived a fulfilling 93 years on this earth AND SHE IS NOW IN THE GLORIOUS AND LOVING PRESENCE OF THE LORD!

In Lieu of flowers the Jastram family asks that donations be made in Olivia's name to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. (NAMI)