Olivia V. Ervine

Olivia Zamora Ervine, affectionately known as "Vicky," passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 10, 2025, in McAllen, Texas, after a long battle with dementia. She was 93 years old.

Born on June 30, 1932, in Penitas, Texas, Olivia was the daughter of Hipolito Zamora and Catarina Rivas. Raised on a farm near the Rio Grande, she was the fourth of eleven children. Her childhood was shaped by hard work, family unity, and the rich agricultural landscape of the Rio Grande Valley.

From a young age, Olivia was an integral part of her family's life. She helped with chores, learned to drive at age 12, and attended school in La Joya. She graduated from high school in 1950 and, with a scholarship to Draughan’s Business School, aspired to become a lawyer.

After a brief time working at a law firm and the housing authority, Olivia's life took a new direction when she made the courageous decision to join the Air Force. She signed up in Mission, Texas, and was sent to Lackland Air Force Base for pilot training. It was in San Antonio, Texas, during her time in the service, that she met and married Jerry Ervine, who was serving in the Army as a phlebotomist.

Vicky was a woman of remarkable strength and independence. She drove herself from Texas to South Carolina while pregnant, a testament to her determination and spirit. Together with Jerry, she raised a family, living in various locations including Connecticut and Pennsylvania. After Jerry's service in the Army, the couple returned to McAllen, Texas, and leveraged his training and experience from the Army as a licensed medical technologist to open their own blood lab. Together they owned and operated ProLab in McAllen, Texas for over 50 years, a testament to their partnership and dedication.

Olivia's life was a tapestry woven with love, resilience, and a deep connection to her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hipolito and Catarina Zamora; her husband, Jerry Ervine; her sons, Charles and Ronald; and her siblings, Anita, Amando, Lydia, Noe, Homero, Rene, Alejandro, Heribieto, Roberto, Hector, and Ruben.

She is survived by her daughter, Diane; her grandchildren, Adam, Angela, Ronnie, Ellie, Lauren, Justin, and Kyla; and her brother, Roberto Zamora in McAllen, Texas. Her story is one of a resourceful woman who overcame challenges and built a beautiful life for herself and her family.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Olivia's memory to a charity of your choice. Her legacy of strength, love, and unwavering spirit will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.