By Martie Thompson
editor@floridanewsline.com
Michele Oliver is the publicity chairman for Newcomers of North St. Johns, a social group for both newcomers to the area and for those who have recently experienced a life change, that is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Retired since 2019, she worked a variety of jobs in her career and said she learned something from each and every one — public speaking skills from working at the National Institutes of Health, event planning from working for Deerwood Country Club and Palencia Club, marketing skills from serving as the marketing manager for NE Florida Weight Watchers franchises and writing skills from Robinson and St. Johns. Her degree in Mass Communications and PR from the University of South Florida set her up to succeed in her varied career, but she said right now she is enjoying her retirement since it gives her time to do whatever she wants to do. She lives in Fruit Cove with her husband Ben, a dachshund named Chloe and Anna, a yellow lab rescued during the pandemic in 2020. Son Charlie and his wife Lisa live nearby with their two children.
Q: Where did you grow up and go to school?
A: My dad was in the Navy and retired when I was four. I was the last of four children, so I missed a lot of the moving around. We moved to Alameda, California, where I grew up and attended high school. Once my father retired again from civilian life, he and my mom moved to New Port Richey, Florida and since I wasn’t married at the time, I moved with them. I found there were lots of retirees there! So I enrolled at the University of South Florida at age 22 and shared an off campus dorm with a bunch of 18 year olds.
Q: How did you meet your husband?
A: Ben was also a student at USF. We met in the TV room in our co-ed dorm and have now been married for 45 years. He graduated before me, but I stayed and finished my degree. We were married one week after I graduated.
Q: How did you come to live in St. Johns County?
A: Ben had a job in Jacksonville, so we moved to Arlington. Once our son was school aged, we wanted a better school system so we moved to Fruit Cove. We’ve lived in the same house now for 34 years. Charlie attended Julington Creek Elementary, Swiss Point Middle, and Nease. In a full circle moment, Charlie’s son also attended Julington Creek Elementary.
Q: How did you become involved with Newcomers of North St. Johns?
A: After I retired, I didn’t want to be bored, so I looked for opportunities for activities. I heard about Newcomers of North St. Johns and went to a luncheon. I liked the people immediately and have been part of the group ever since. They offer so much to do. I previously served as co-vice president and now am publicity chairman.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I love photography and am a voracious reader. I’m a member of the St. Andrew’s Society of Jacksonville, which is a social and philanthropic group that promotes Scottish heritage and culture. I’m Scottish on my grandmother’s side; we are a part of the MacGregor clan. We also love to travel. We just took a cruise to Alaska. We’ve also visited Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons and New England. Now that Ben is also retired, we will have time to travel more.
Photo courtesy Michele Oliver
Michele Oliver
