Obituary of Barbara Olson

Barbara Olson officially passed from this physical world into a higher, better existence on Sunday, December 20, 2015 at the age of 83. Her transition was peaceful, painless and essentially instantaneous. She was born Barbara Ann Bartlett to parents Robert Bartlett and Margaret Whitley Bartlett in Sidney Center, NY on May 14, 1932. Being the middle child in the family; she was flanked by older sister, Mary Lou Bartlett Dixson and younger brother Robert Bartlett. She was the last surviving member of her childhood family. On July 17, 1954 she wed Carl Olson and the two had a long, happy marriage spanning nearly 60 years. They had five children together. Tragedy struck the couple many times with the loss of three of their children: first being Sandy in 1976, Susan in 2002, and William in 2008. Carl died in 2014. Barbara attended Franklin Central School and Teachers College at SUNY Oneonta. She student taught Home Economics for a year in Worcester, NY. After marriage she moved to Coventry to be a stay at home mom and raise children. Following ten years of being a farmer’s wife and mother, she resumed teaching by taking a 3rd grade teacher position at Afton Central School. In 1990, after 25 years of teaching, Barbara and Carl retired and moved to sunny Beverly Hills, FL for wintertime enjoyment. They divided their time between Afton and Florida for 15 years. They then moved to Las Vegas, NV for an additional 5 years; doing the same split of residences. They moved back to Afton to live full time in 2010. Carl & Barbara loved to tour and travel. They had a motor home for a time that helped them to see all 48 contiguous United States. They also travelled abroad to Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas and twice throughout Europe. Barbara was very active in the community by donating her time and baking services to the Afton Historical Society and the North Afton United Methodist Church. She loved playing the organ and was an organist for the church and for dozens of weddings and funerals throughout the years. Barbara’s greatest joy in life was her family. She would do whatever she could to support them and bring them happiness. Barbara is survived by her son, Thomas Olson of Afton, NY; her daughter, Sally Olson of Las Vegas, NV; three grandsons, Timothy Bird of Van Etten, NY; Andrew Bird and wife Nicole of Nashville, TN; Daniel Bird of Moravia, NY; three great-grandchildren, Trevor and Jennalyn Bird of Van Etten, NY; and Evan Bird of Nashville, TN. Barbara was honest to a fault and a most down-to-earth, genuine person. She was always eager to help and give. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. A service in her honor will be held at the North Afton United Methodist Church on Sunday, December 27, 2015 at 1 P.M. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 12 noon to 1 P.M. and a dinner will immediately follow the funeral in the church hall. Benjamin Shaw will officiate and Maryann Palmetier will be organist. Interment will be at North Afton Cemetery at a later date. Donations may be made to the North Afton Church.