Barbara Ann Olsen

Once upon a time, there was a curious spirit who chose to enter this world on April 6, in the year of our Lord 1959. She chose the home of William Graham and Susan Elizabeth (Whiteside) Robertson in Santa Clara, California, for her childhood and took on the name of Barbara Ann, because that’s what those parents wanted to name her. She had some sisters, which was good. She had to learn how to share and how to get along with others, and a household of girls is the best classroom. It was when she went to work at a magical place called “Hewlett Packard” that she met a couple other women who introduced her to a handsome prince. Okay, he wasn’t a prince, but he was a sailor, and that’s pretty close. She knew what heavenly love was like but wanted to experience earthly love. So, Barbara married that fellow, Gregory Neil Olsen, on June 21, 1981, because she heard it sung that when you marry in June, you’re a bride all your life. But as a sailor’s wife? Why, a sailor’s wife is a queen. And a sailor’s queen is that special woman who decides in her heart and mind to marry a sailor and hold his hands through smooth seas and rough weather. Barbara wanted to know what sacrificial love was like, so she became a mother. First came the Boy – they named him Zachary. Then came the Girl, whom they named Kirsten Leigh. What an experience it was, to be responsible for two more lives. But she still wanted to know more. Through the years, she loved friends, family, church family and co-workers. She loved her husband and she loved her children (even when it was hard to do so). But none could compare to the love she experienced next: of her grandchildren. Landyn was first, and for a long time the only. Then came Larec, then Quinten, then Finley, and, lastly, Kinleigh. These grandchildren were the lights of her life and the jewels in her crown. It was surrounded by books, friends, and family that the curious spirit left this plane of existence on Saturday, June 24, 2023, having learned what she came to learn and loving those she came to love. With the final words, “I love you, too,” she bid farewell and was welcomed beyond the veil, into the arms of her beloved Jesus and there she shall live happily ever after. She was preceded there by her dad, William, and her husband, Greg. Waving goodbye are her mother, Susan Robertson, her kids Zachary (wife Kelsey) of Springfield, MO, and Kirsten (husband Stephen) of Eldon, MO, her sisters Janice DiBenedetto of Santa Clara, CA, Terri Britton of Carmel, CA, and Katherine Chok of Morgan Hill, CA, and her beloved grandchildren Landyn Graham, Larec Olsen, Quinten Austin, Finley Olsen, and Kinleigh Austin. Now, friends, family, and church family, if you happen to find a groundhog digging around your garden, watch to see if it stops, looks your way, and winks at you. It just might be a curious spirit saying hello. The End

Barbara Ann Olsen

April 6, 1959 - June 24, 2023