Carolyn Olson

Carolyn Roof Olson, wife of Commander Robert S. Olson, US Navy (ret), died peacefully at home on September 21, 2016. She was the daughter of William Coke and Lilleise Graham Roof, and was born in Columbia, SC, on June 14, 1926. She attended Limestone College and graduated at the age of 19 from the University of South Carolina (Phi Beta Kappa). As a Navy wife, moving was a way of life. She moved her household throughout the United States and Europe and she became an expert at making each new city a home for her husband and three children. In 1964, they left the Navy and settled in Winston-Salem. Here Carolyn immersed herself in the community, volunteering at Forsyth Hospital for over 50 years, where she served a term as president of the Auxiliary Association. She worked for many years as an election judge for her local district, danced with the Snappy Tappers, belonged to the American Needlepoint Guild, played golf, and read voraciously. She loved music and dancing and excelled at both, often enlivening a party at the piano. She was a great competitor, as evidenced in her passion for the game of bridge, where she attained the rank of Life Master and was the driving force of many bridge groups. She made her greatest impact, however, on the lives of her six grandchildren, serving as their rock and touchstone throughout her life. As matriarch of a growing family, she presided over ever increasing numbers at Christmas, Thanksgiving, and the yearly gathering at Holden Beach over the 4th of July. She will always be remembered by her husband of 70 years, her sons Stan Olson (Nancy Barber) of Charlotte, and Jim Olson (Laura Brakebill) of Winston-Salem, and her daughter Susan Olson Whelan (Pat) of Mt. Pleasant, SC; as well as her six grandchildren, Robbie Whelan (Martha Worth) of Charleston, SC, Sean Whelan of Pittsburgh, PA, Kenny Olson (Jessica Holt) of Raleigh, Scotty Olson (Hannah Millar) of Asheville, Anna Olson of Raleigh, and Liz Olson of Winston-Salem; and her three great-grandchildren, Carolyn and Worth Whelan and Jack Olson. The visitation will be from 7:00-9:00 p.m. on Friday, September 23 at Salem Funeral Home, 120 S. Main Street in Winston-Salem. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice & Palliative CareCenter, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC, 27103, or your charity of choice. Online condolences may be made to www.salemfh.com.

SERVICE:
Salem Funeral Home
09/23/2016
19:00:00

VISITATION:
Salem Funeral Home