Johnette Ollman (May 1943 — 2010)

Who on Kahshe did not know Johnette Ollman?  Not only as the co-owner, with her husband Bob, of Denne’s Marina but also as a tireless worker for Kahshe and the KLRA, as well as for many other causes and organizations in the Gravenhurst area. 

Johnette Baxter was born in May 1943 and grew up in Hamilton on Wentworth Street with an older sister and a brother. She is survived by her husband Bob, her brother-in-law, and two nieces and their families. In April of 1964, Johnette married a handsome young man with a motorcycle and settled in the Hamilton area where she worked for the Bank of Nova Scotia for 25 years. When Bob was injured in a serious workplace accident in 1974, Johnette also worked the evening shift at Flamboro Downs to keep the wolf from the door. Despite many rounds of surgery over the years, Bob was unable to return to his auto mechanic profession and the couple looked at various alternatives including buying a hunting or fishing lodge.  A real estate agent suggested a marina and in January 1985, they took over Denne’s Marina.   

In time Johnette joined the KLRA where she chaired the Beach Committee, was involved with memberships, and led the planning for the revival of the Regatta and the Kid’s Fishing Derby. Johnette was a strong supporter of the CWL at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Gravenhurst working hard for the Penny Sales and the bazaars – always on the lookout for suitable purchase items, or donations. She was a great supporter of the Christmas basket programs at the CWL, and the Sparrow Lake Community Church, as well as the idea of collecting pop cans for Habitat for Humanity, and beer store returns to support Interval House in Bracebridge. 

Bob and Johnette enjoyed traveling with friends and relatives, especially the motorhome trips they took with young nieces and nephews. She had many tales of fun in Florida or Texas.  She filled her “spare” time with knitting, and baking a special fruitcake for the bazaars. She had hoped to set up a sales area for alpaca products from their herd, but that was about the only thing she did not manage to accomplish. She will be missed as a good friend and neighbor here on Kahshe.