Martha Louise Olsen, 91, of Gales Ferry, died peacefully at her home in the care of her loving family and caregiver on Sept. 5, 2011.
She was born on Oct. 27, 1919, in Somerville, Mass., the daughter of Martha Marie and Louis Herland.
She was the beloved wife of Peter Irving Olsen for 67 years.
She was predeceased by her siblings, Marion Hunt, Norman Herland, and George Herland.
As a child, she lived in Somerville, Mass., the Isle of Pines, Cuba, and Brooklyn, N.Y. She was educated in Brooklyn and graduated from the Lutheran Medical Center as a registered nurse.
On Aug. 5, 1944, she married Capt. Peter Irving Olsen, USMC. During his 21 years of service, they were stationed in Quantico, Va., Guam, Hawaii, California, North Carolina, and Norfolk, Va., before retiring to Gales Ferry in 1962.
Martha was active in her nursing profession, community, and church. In addition to volunteering for various charities, Martha served on the Nursing Board in Ledyard. Her faith, commitment, and service to the church included the Altar Guild, Dorcas and annual bazaar. She loved gardening, sewing, crocheting, and quilting. Her home was always open to family and friends. She was a gracious and exceptional lady.
She is survived by her husband, Peter, and their four children, Louise Norko and William of Ruckersville, Va., Peter Olsen and Nancy of Clinton, Robert Olsen and Pamela of Falmouth, Mass., and Linda Allen and Richard of Norwich. She has ten grandchildren, Sarah Barry and Shawn, Tara Armstrong and Brian, Rachel Buonocore and Jim, Adam Norko and Whitney, Ryan Olsen, Kathryn Olsen, Brett Olsen, Ashley Allen and fiance, Nicholas Chaber, Andrew Olsen, and Eric Allen. She also has 10 great-grandchildren; and a loving caregiver, Floretta Clarke. Martha will be missed by her many nieces, nephews and friends.
Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, at Church and Allen Funeral Home, 136 Sachem St., Norwich. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 9, at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 248 Broadway, Norwich, meeting directly at church, with burial to follow at the Gales Ferry Cemetery, the corner of Military Highway and Hurlbutt Road.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mark's Lutheran Church.
Online condolences may be given at www.churchandallen.com
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