Co-founder of Oliver Winery dies at age 78

Mary Morgan Oliver, who started Oliver Winery in 1972 with her husband, William, died Wednesdasy. She was 78.\nHer son, Bill Oliver, said the family’s Bloomington business began as an outgrowth of his father’s wine-making hobby.\n“There’s the old cliche that behind every man is an even stronger woman,” he said of his mother. “For many years, she kept the books and held the place together.”\nShe had also traveled to more than 40 countries and every continent but Africa, daughter-in-law Kathleen Oliver said.\nOliver was instrumental in founding Bloomington Hospice, Planned Parenthood and Meals on Wheels. She also served on the board of directors of Bloomington Hospital and the hospital foundation.\n“It’s not just a loss for our family – it’s a loss for the whole community,” Kathleen Oliver said.\nOliver Winery, which runs 35 acres of vineyards, has grown over the past few years with the recent completion of a new production facility, allowing the company to triple its production, according to its Web site. Since the early 1990s, production has grown from 38,000 gallons to more than 500,000 gallons per year of more than 30 different varieties, the Web site said. The wines can be purchased in 10 different states.\nBesides her son, Oliver is survived by her husband of 55 years, William; a daughter, Barbara Oliver of Clearwater, Fla; and four grandchildren.\nServices will be private, but memorial contributions may be made to the Mary Morgan Oliver Foundation, 2600 W. Delap Road, Bloomington, IN 47404.\nOliver Winery is located at 8024 N. State Road 37. They offer complimentary taste testing Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. They also give complimentary tours of the facilities every half hour Friday through Saturday from noon to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.\nFor more information call 876-5800 or visit http://www.oliverwinery.com/main.html.