Carole D. Olsen

Carole D. Olsen

February 1, 1936 – January 13, 2023

Carole D. Olsen, 86, passed away peacefully on January 13, 2023 at her home in Broomall, PA.  She was surrounded by her loving family continuously throughout her final days.

Carole was born in Philadelphia, PA to the late Michael and Marie (Pfaff) Dillon.  She graduated from Notre Dame (Moylan) High School in Philadelphia, PA and went on to work for the General Services Administration upon graduation.

In 1958, Carole met the love of her life, Martin S. (“Marty”) Olsen, when he prevented her from walking inadvertently into the men’s room at a local dance hall.  They wed in 1960 and together raised their four daughters in their home in Broomall with many memorable vacations to Long Beach Island, NJ and decades of the best holidays celebrated with their ever-growing family.  Their loving 52-year marriage endured until Marty’s passing in October 2012.

Carole’s second career and true calling as a nurse began in 1983 when she graduated from Camillus Mercy School of Practical Nursing in Darby, PA while also raising her busy family.  She worked at Fair Acres Geriatric Center in Lima, PA for many years before finishing her career taking care of “her boys” at the Cardinal Krol Center in Springfield, PA.  Her dedication, care and compassion inspired her daughter, Julianne, and grandson, Dan, to pursue their own careers in nursing.

Carole was a devout Catholic who attended daily mass throughout her life and always had a rosary tucked in her pocket.  She was a parishioner of St. Pius X Catholic Church for 60 years and a fixture at her weekly prayer group until her health would no longer permit.  Carole lived her life simply and with humility, in keeping with St. Augustine’s words, that, “Pride does its own will.  Humility does God’s will.”

She was known for her unfailing devotion to her dogs, her mischievous sense of humor, her dry, quick wit and a stubbornness that left no doubt as to her position on any topic.  Her family, though, was always the center of her life.

Left to cherish her memory are her four daughters: Marialisa Shihadeh (Ray), Julianne Eckert (Ben), Colleen Olsen and Janeen Olsen Dougherty (Dan); eleven grandchildren: Kristin, Carolyn, Melissa, Nichole, Matthew, Mary, Emily, Erica, Daniel, Mikayla and Michael and ten great-grandchildren: Olivia, Aiden, Keira, Matthew, McKenna, Madison, Fiona, Mia, Janick and Miles.

Family and friends are invited to a Visitation on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 from 9:00 am to 10:00 am at St. Pius X Church, 220 Lawrence Road, Broomall, PA 19008.  A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:00 am, with Interment to follow at SS Peter & Paul Cemetery in Springfield, PA. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the All 4 Paws Rescue, All 4 Paws Rescue, Animal Rescue, Malvern, PA  would be appreciated.