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Gertrude A. Olson (Lucy), 94, of Falconer passed away Sunday (September 22, 2024) in The Star Hospice House in Lakewood, NY.
A lifelong area resident she was born February 16, 1930, in Springcreek Township, Warren County, PA, the daughter of the late Gertrude Isabelle Beardsley Snyder and the late Ralph Ellis.
Lucy was a 1946 graduate of Jamestown High School. She was the first female school bus driver at the Falconer Central School district and possibly the first in Chautauqua County. She was a driver for ten years in the days when the buses did not have radios and cell phones had not been invented.
Lucy, along with her husband Bob, raised Arabian Horses at their farm named Sky-Hy Arabians. They were a member of the Arabian Horse Association. While her husband worked in a factory during the day, Lucy had up to 25 horses in the barn to take care of including feeding and buckets of ice to thaw and refill in the winter. Lucy enjoyed cooking, baking, entertaining friends and relatives, traveling with her family and sisters, sewing, participating in church, reading, jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, horseback trail riding, cross country skiing, tennis and old-time country music.
Surviving is her daughter Diane (Ernie) Howard of Falconer; her son Robert T. Olson Jr. of Jamestown; granddaughter Sarah Howard; and two brothers: Joseph Zampogna and Richard Zampogna.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert T. Olson, Sr. (Bob) whom she married November 6, 1948 in Youngsville, PA. They were married 74 years and almost made it to 75. She was born "one day" earlier than Bob, and he loved to tell people that he married an "older woman." Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her daughter-in-law Wendy Peterson Olson in 2012; two sisters: Rose Smith and Amy (Betty) Burgess; and her stepfather Grover Snyder.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date. Visitation will not be observed.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Church of Christ, Scientist, 321 Prendergast Avenue, Jamestown, NY 14701 or sent to a favorite church or charity, especially a library or send flowers to a loved one.
Visit the website at www.falconerfuneralhome.net to send a message of condolence.