Olivia Schulte Becker, 94, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Monday, Nov. 12, 2012, at her residence.

She was born March 16, 1918, in Columbia, Ill., to Henry and Louisa (nee Weilbacher) Schulte.

Olivia owned and operated beauty salons for 27 years, first in Illinois and then in Miami, Fla. where she resided for 33 years, before coming to the Port Charlotte area. In 1980, Olivia made the decision to become active in volunteer work, offering her organizational talents to St. Joseph Hospital, where she became involved with the gift shop and the pregnancy crisis careline, where she served as Executive Director until 2007. In 1984, Bishop John Nevins requested that she set up the Respect Life Ministry for the new Diocese of Venice. On Oct. 17, 1998, Olivia received from Pope John Paul II the “Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice” award, the highest award that can be given to a lay person in the Catholic Church. This honor was given to her for the 15 years of volunteer service as Respect Life Director promoting “respect life issues” on both state and local levels. Olivia also served as past President of the Council of Catholic Women, and was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Port Charlotte. She will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved her.

Olivia is survived by her son, John H. (Sheryl) Becker of Los Gatos, Calif.; daughters, Lacey (Andy) Thompson of Rush, Ky., Rosalyn Becker of Fort Myers, Fla., and Madelon Becker of Punta Gorda, Fla.; six grandchildren, including Casey Teagarden of Harbour Heights, Fla.; and five great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 19, 2012, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 21505 Augusta Ave., Port Charlotte. Burial will follow at Restlawn Memorial Gardens in Port Charlotte. Please visit Olivia’s tribute wall at www.schelmfh.com to share memories, and to send condolences to the Becker family. Preferred donations may be made in loving memory of Olivia to Alzheimer’s Association, Southwest Florida Chapter, P.O. Box 494708, Port Charlotte, FL 33949.

Arrangements are by Paul Schelm Funeral Home, Lake Suzy, Fla.