Shirley L. Olsen

Shirley L. Olsen passed away peacefully in hospice care at her daughter's home in Mansfield Center on March 29th from rheumatoid arthritis in her spine. Shirley was born on May 4, 1926, to Englehardt and Victoria (Volle) Johnsen in Willimantic. She graduated from Windham High School and met and married the love of her life, Chaffeeville farmer Olaf (Ole) Olsen, in Mansfield Center, where they made their home. Shirley and Ole became a partnership in love and business. When the Mansfield Hollow Dam claimed their prime farmland along the Fenton River in the early fifties, they changed to a career in home construction and began building houses on the remaining land and forest. Shirley designed all 72 houses so each was unique. Each quality-built Olsen home became a family project with individual family members having their duties to perform. Shirley developed rheumatoid arthritis after Ole's death in 1981, and inspired all who knew her with the courage she exhibited as the disease gradually deformed her hands, feet, and body. She also admirably fought pancreatic cancer in 2001 and survived it. Shirley's home was her pride and joy. She used her artistic and creative talents to create a beautifully-decorated home surrounded by her gardens and a bird sanctuary. She also took great pride in always presenting a classically dressed and well-groomed appearance despite her physical limitations. She was a master at cryptograms, an avid reader, and was a fan of the UConn Lady Huskies. Shirley was pre-deceased by Ole, her parents, and siblings Lillian Petrus, Harold Johnsen, and Richard Johnsen. She is survived by her son, Chris Olaf Olsen and his wife, Gail, of Mansfield Center; her daughter, Karen (Dwyer) Wyatt and her husband, Carl, of Mansfield Center and Crossville, TN; grandchildren Scott and Jason Dwyer, and Dawn DeBoer; four great-grandchildren, Aaron, Amy and Devin Dwyer, and Michael DeBoer; her brother Robert and wife Lila of Springfield, MA; and special friends, Kelley Dwyer, Ray Dwyer, and caregiver Diane Blasko. She also leaves behind many loving nieces, nephews and extended family. The family gives heart-full appreciation to her other wonderful caregivers including Penny Morrissette, Lisa Thiffeault, Tatyana Dominique, Suzanne Listro, and Megan Hannon. Thanks also to Dr. Ross Winakor for his superb care through the years and to Vitas Hospice, especially nurse Debi Spector, for their caring assistance. Services will be private at the graveside, but she may be honored with contributions to the First Church of Christ, PO Box 36, Mansfield Center, 06250, where Shirley once devoted many hours as a volunteer office coordinator, and where she enjoyed the love and companionship of their book club and general fellowship.