Kathleen Olson

Kathleen Mary Olson (née Dunn) was born in Albany, NY, on June 1st, 1942. She fought a long battle with multiple myeloma and, more recently, Parkinson’s disease. In the early morning of November 21st, 2025, she passed peacefully. She was a wonderful mother and a proud grandmother. At various times over the preceding years, she wrote the following remembrances of her life, which highlight the love she had for family, friends, and adventure as well as her good sense of humor.

Kathy is survived by her three wonderful children Steve (Kelley), Julie, and Kristi (Jake) and one exceptional grandchild, Madison. She is also survived by two siblings, Patricia Peck and James Dunn. She was preceded in death by her parents, Henrietta and G. Perry Dunn, and a special brother, Richard.

She was raised by depression-era parents so she (and her siblings) practiced thrift from a very young age as evidenced by the accumulation of items she has left for her children to dispose of. Friends interested in boxes of started craft projects, Christmas items, picture frames and other assorted treasures may claim them after a respectable interval. Tomorrow would be fine. Included is a box of too-small-to-be-useful trash can liners from 1991 (note from the kids: this should actually be 1975). Other antique containers of food have been disposed of by her children.

I have had a wonderful life. I was able to travel to more than 65 countries. I have been able to take biking and hiking trips.

It was an honor for me to be friends with some truly great people. I thank you.

I grew up in the very best time to grow up in the history of America: the best music, the best cars, cheap gas, appliances that lasted long after the warranty wore out, and no mass murders.

TV was boring back then, so we went outside and actually had fun. We rode bikes, walked on stilts, built clubhouses, and wandered the woods.

Kathy ended her remembrances here, but her children would like to add that she touched many lives teaching all ages, traveling the world, and volunteering for numerous charitable organizations. She had many adventures, both locally and abroad, and lived life to the fullest. She was deeply loved and will be missed. The family is planning to hold two celebration of life gatherings, one in Columbus, OH, where Kathy lived for much of her retirement years, and the other in Saratoga Springs, NY, where many family members reside nearby.

The 1st celebration of life event will be held in the Garden Pavilion at the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens (1777 E. Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43203) on Friday, June 5th from 11:30am-2:00pm.

The 2nd celebration of life event will be held in the Hathorn Pavilion at the Saratoga Spa State Park (19 Roosevelt Drive, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866) on Thursday, June 25th from 1:00pm-3:30pm.

We hope that many of you are able to join us in person or in spirit.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Blood Cancer United (bloodcancerunited.org), Parkinson’s Foundation (parkinson.org), or a charity close to your heart.