Helen Olsen

Helen F. Olsen of 72 Northfield Street, Town of Ulster died on February 19, 2024. Born on December 29, 1928 in Troy, NY, Helen was the daughter of the late Charles and Anna (Waters) Rowe. 

Helen was a graduate of Kingston High School and Moran’s School of Business. She began her working career at Albany Savings Bank and then went to work in the business office of the Kingston City School District, retiring in 1994. She was the wife of the late Roy G. Olsen who died in November 2004. 

She is survived by her six children: Stephen Olsen (Ginger Williams) of Bellevue, WA; Allen Olsen of Port Ewen, NY; Judith (Stephen) Johann of Slingerlands, NY; Roy C. Olsen of Arcata, CA; Eileen (Michael) Curran of Saugerties, NY; and Christine Olsen (Michael Humphreys) of Sherman, CT. She is also survived by thirteen grandchildren (Marissa, Kyle, Sean, Alex, and Catie Olsen; Andy, Ian, and Ryan Curran; Jill, Jay, Drew, and Brigit Humphreys; and Kiah Chatt), six great grandchildren (and one on the way) and many nieces and nephews. 

All of her siblings predeceased her, including William Rowe, Warren Rowe, Ethel Rowe, Ruth Nielsen, Dorothy Rowe, Eleanor Kelder, Marion Koskie, Rita Zaharchuk, Jean Vertetis, and Marjorie Peters. 

Helen was a parishioner at St. Catherine Laboure Roman Catholic Church where she was active in the Altar Rosary Society, serving as Secretary (she had beautiful handwriting). She was an active volunteer at (former) Benedictine Hospital where she worked in the Gift Shop and coordinated Red Cross Blood donation drives. She also volunteered with Catholic Charities working in the food pantry. She always enjoyed completing word jumbles, family gatherings, and her children’s and grandchildren’s activities, including school concerts and sports events. 

Arrangements entrusted to Keyser Funeral & Cremation Service, 326 Albany Avenue, Kingston, NY 12401, where family and friends may visit on Thursday, February 22, 2024 from 4pm to 7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am on Friday, February 23, 2024 at St. Catherine Laboure RC Church, 200 Tuyten Bridge Road, Lake Katrine, NY 12449. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery, Kingston. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Helen’s memory may be made to St. Catherine Laboure Altar Rosary Society, 200 Tuyten Bridge Road, Lake Katrine, NY 12449. A tribute for Helen can be found at www.KeyserFuneralService.com, where you may leave memories and expressions of sympathy for her family.