Olivia Ames Henry, 84, Was West Chop Mainstay

Olivia Ames (Peters) Henry died at age 84 on Oct. 16 in New York city. She had been a West Chop summer visitor since she was six months old, first coming from Milton in the summer of 1918 with her parents, Richard and Ruth Peters, and grandparents, James Sumner and Alice Ames Draper, who originally helped develop that community in 1907.

Olivia grew up with her two younger sisters, Priscilla and Ruth. Her energy, curiosity and mischief-making were legendary. She rode horseback on dirt roads, played tennis and sailed in the Sound.

She attended Milton Academy and was graduated with honors from the Windsor School in Boston. She also volunteered at the Fogg Art Museum.

She introduced her husband, the late Sidney Morgan Henry Jr., to the Island, and he also became entranced. Along came their children, Olivia and Morgan, and they, too, were brought under the Island's spell. Olivia both enjoyed and devoted herself to her family.

Throughout her married life in New York city, she was active in community affairs on the boards of the Colonial Dames of America, the Churchwomen's League and the City Gardens Club. She loved to gather with friends and was an avid reader, bridge player, art and music lover, and world traveler. In her 80s she explored France, Italy, Greece, Croatia, Spain and Turkey.

She is survived by her daughter, Olivia Peters Henry 2nd, son in law Timothy Gurshin and grandson Timothy Jr. of Canterbury, as well as by her son, S. Morgan Henry 3rd, and her grandchildren Emily and Morgan 4th of Alexandria, Va. Her sister, Priscilla Q. Weld of Duxbury, and nieces, Ingrid Loberg of Plymouth and Karen Loberg of Malibu, Calif., also survive her. She was predeceased by her sister, Ruth Q. Peters of Boston, who died in January.

A private interment in the family plot in Milton is planned. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her memory to the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum and Garden, 421 East 61st street, New York, NY 10021.