Joan Lunden Olsen

Joan Lunden Olsen, 89, of Ulster Park, NY, passed away on Friday, February 2, 2024, at Golden Hill Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Kingston. She was born June 16, 1934, on Staten Island, NY, daughter of the late John and Margot (Lunden) Cumming. Joan was married to William Andrew (“Bill”) Olsen. They wed on October 17, 1970. Bill passed away on May 19, 2017. 

 She graduated in 1956 from Wagner College in Staten Island, NY where she earned a degree in nursing. During her time there, she was also a member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority. Joan worked as a registered nurse at the United States Public Health Service Hospital in Staten Island where she rose to the rank of Head ER Nurse until she stepped down in 1970 to raise her family. Joan was a devoted and active member of Redeemer Lutheran Church where, among other things, she served as a member of the Women of ELCA, sang in the church choir, and was a founding member of the church bell choir. 

In addition to being a prolific chef capable of producing dishes with extraordinary depth of flavor, including many Norwegian favorites, Joan enjoyed gardening (both vegetables and flowers), knitting and crocheting and, most of all, sitting on the deck at Peck’s Lake in the Adirondacks and watching the ‘golden stripe.’ She was an enthusiastic NY Times crossword solver and would let you know she could finish the Sunday puzzle without help (and in pen). Joan was an avid bowler and longtime league member at the former Mid-City Lanes through the ’80s and ‘90s where she maintained a 167 average. In Joan’s earlier years, she belonged to the Staten Island Ski Club, with whom she skied the Alps in Europe on many trips, and became a skilled sailor, captaining her sailboat “Pixie” all around Staten Island’s Raritan Bay and beyond. 

Beyond her career and interests, Joan was a deeply compassionate caregiver throughout her life to many friends and family members, including her children, parents, sister and, ultimately, her husband Bill, whom she lovingly took care of during his last years.

Joan is survived by her sons, Andrew J. Olsen, and his wife Jennifer Dolin Olsen of Cleveland, OH, Matthew W. Olsen and his wife Susan Chan-Olsen of Brooklyn, NY, and grandchildren Braedon, Riley, Taylor, Kate and Henry Olsen. Joan was predeceased by her sister Barbara S. Stephens. 

The family suggests memorial contributions to Redeemer Lutheran Church’s Memorial Fund or Bell Choir, 104 Wurts St., Kingston, NY. The memorial service will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 104 Wurts St. Kingston, on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at 11 a.m.  Reception and gathering to follow in Gaise Hall. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Keyser Funeral & Cremation Service, Kingston and Port Ewen. A tribute for Joan can be found at www.keyserfuneralservice.com, where you may leave memories and expressions of sympathy for her family.