Obituary of Rosemary T. Olson

Rosemarie Theresa Olson, passed away at the age of 84 on January 27th, 2014. She was a wonderful lady who had a life full of sorrow, yet always had a smile. Born an orphan at the start of the Great Depression in 1929, she lost her right eye at birth due to a mysterious and undocumented cause, and was raised by nuns and later a much older and slightly mentally challenged foster mother. Really, she raised herself and took care of her. She met my grandfather on a bus on her way to work in Queens and fell deeply in love with him, his blue eyes and big family. Together they had 3 children: Erica, John, and Ed. In addition to her own children, she raised her only granddaughter with very little resources or help, she never missed a day of work, and loved her family and friends with her whole heart. The Olson's in particular were very important to her. She would never miss a chance to play cards with her sisters-in-law or gather at a family reunion. Rose would find a way to lend anyone who needed it some cheer, a home, a dollar. . . even if all she had in her purse was a nickel. She valued life and cherished family. She is deeply missed by her children, grandchildren, and all who knew and loved her. She was cremated at McManus Lorey Funeral Home and will be remembered at a gathering on the ocean in June around her birthday. She wished for her ashes to be scattered in the Atlantic Ocean with her husband, John's. She is survived by her sons Ed Olson and John Olson; Ed's wife Christine and sons Scott (29) and Erik (26); John's son Johnny (31) and grandson Sonny (2); and Lana (33, her daughter Erica's daughter).