Obituary of Margery Florence Olmsted

With a sparkle in her eye, Marge Olmsted was reunited with her husband on Friday, December 23, 2016. Born January 26, 1929 in Englewood, New Jersey, she was the daughter of Peter V. Lanzavecchia and Gertrude R. Wilson. She was predeceased by her husband, William Clague Olmsted, brother, Peter Lanzavecchia, and son-in-law, Leo Sulinski, Jr. Marge grew up in New Jersey, and worked in New York City where she met the love of her life, Clague (Bill) Olmsted. After marriage they resided in Rye Colony NY, until moving to Essex in the early 1960's. There she spent most of her life, as she and Bill raised their children enjoying the company of dear friends who she considered members of her family, especially her neighbors "through the woods." She enjoyed her later years residing in Chester, CT. Marge loved exploring new destinations, including camping with the family, cruises with Bill, and traveling with family and friends, including Cape Cod and New Orleans. Marge was passionately involved for many years with the Essex Hot Steamed Jazz Fest, enjoying music and musicians who performed at the festival. And we all knew not to call her from 7:00 to 8:00 pm while she watched her favorite shows, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. Marge worked for many years in the Regional District #4 school system, first as a special education aide, then as a Guidance Counselor secretary. She retired from State of CT Department of Mental Health as an IT specialist, and developed many friends both as a passenger and driver of the commuter van into Hartford. After retirement she enjoyed working at the Peddler in Essex and Country Carousel in Old Saybrook. Marge had a fabulous sense of humor, and loved putting a smile on people's faces with her quick wit and zest for life. She drew the greatest joy from all her grandchildren and extended grandchildren, watching them grow and become loving, successful, compassionate adults. They will sorely miss their "Gramma Marge", "Goo Goo", and Grammie. Marge's zeal for life lives on through her children; daughters, Nina Sulinski of Chester, Lauri Makuck of Chester, her husband, John, and their children, Sara Jascot, and husband Dave, and Ethan; Jane MacFarlane, of Wethersfield, her husband John, and their children, Jared and Leah; and her son, David of Westbrook, Kristi, and his daughter, Raegan, and Kristi's son's Sean and Noah. Her family wants to express our heartfelt thanks to the staff and residents of Village at South Farms in Middletown, CT. Mom found such joy in her new home playing Bingo and LCR, chatting with her friends at meals and the Pub, and getting to know and visiting all the nurses, nursing assistants and employees. We are grateful that she had such a warm and loving place to live, and will forever appreciate the care you gave her. A memorial service will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at the Robinson, Wright and Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main Street in Centerbrook, CT. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Chester Hose Company, P.O. Box 214, Chester, CT. 06412 To share a memory of Marge or send a condolence to her family, please visit www.rwwfh.com.