Cheryl Darlene Olsen
July 19, 1944 - October 16, 2006
Obituary
Cheryl Darlene Olsen was born July 19, 1944 to Wilbur and Genevieve Purdie. She
arrived at Maynard Hospital on Capitol Hill, near downtown Seattle. She began life
with her mother, father, and brother Don at the family home in Highland Park
where her mother still lives.
Cheryl attended grade school at Highland Park Elementary. She lived across
the alley from her Aunt Reidun and her cousins Bobby and Darlene. The two
families spent a lot of time together. Darlene and Cheryl were members of the
Brownies, and then Girl Scouts. Every year, Wilbur would pack up both
families in the car and head for Birch Bay, where they would rent a cabin and spend
their vacation. Attendance at the Seafair Torchlight Parade was also a tradition,
although Wilbur elected to stay home. Gen and Reidun would gather up Don,
Cheryl, Bobby and Darlene and get on the bus around noon, so they could find a
good place to watch the parade – which started at 8 PM.
In 1956 Cheryl began junior high school at Denny Junior High. She continued her
education at Chief Sealth High School, graduating in 1962. During high school,
Cheryl sang in the school choir.
While attending Sealth, Cheryl met Bob Olsen. Cheryl was fifteen years old when
she met Bob, and her parents would not let her date until she was sixteen.
Bob entered the service in March of 1963 and served in Germany for twenty-eight
months. Cheryl had started working after high school, first at Sears in south
Seattle, and then at the Kenworth Truck Company on East Marginal Way. In both
jobs, she worked in the office. While working, Cheryl saved money so Bob could
come home for Christmas in 1965. It was then that they became engaged to be
married.
While Bob was in the service, Cheryl spent many weekends with her future in-laws
Betty Olsen, Carolyn Cox and Tina Garrison. They worked on embroidery projects, went to movies, and attended high school football games. Bob completed his military service in March of 1966 and returned to Seattle. On August 20, 1966, Bob and Cheryl were married in a ceremony at St. James Lutheran Church.
In 1969, Bob and Cheryl’s daughter, Jennifer, was born. Their son, Christopher,
was born in 1973. Cheryl was a devoted mother, staying home with Jennifer and
Chris.
As the children grew up, the family enjoyed camping trips to “the
property” near Cle Elum, as well as other camping trips. The group sometimes was
large, including Wilbur, Gen, Don, Gail, Kevin, and Ryan, along with the family
dogs – first Holly, and later, Josie.
In the late 1980’s, after several years of health issues, Cheryl was diagnosed with
Multiple Sclerosis. Together, Cheryl and Bob faced the challenges that MS
presented. No one could have more bravely accepted and endured the pain and
other effects of MS than Cheryl, and no one could have provided more support
and comfort to a spouse than Bob. Their marriage became stronger as they
faced each day together, even when they lost Jennifer to leukemia in 1990.
In 1991, Cheryl and Bob celebrated their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary with a
gathering at the Olympic Heights Community Club on 35th Avenue SW. They
arrived in their 1968 Camaro Rally Sport, and were able to greet relatives
and friends, including members of the wedding party whom they had not seen in
many years. It was an enjoyable occasion for them and everyone who attended.
Around the same time as their anniversary celebration, Cheryl and Bob took a trip
around the Olympic Peninsula. They especially liked the Hoh rain forest, where
Cheryl could see much of the forest, even though she was in her wheelchair. This
was the last time they ventured very far from home.
The past four years have been more exciting and enjoyable for Cheryl and Bob as
grandchildren Hana, and then Bobby, have been added to the family.
Cheryl’s health deteriorated considerably in September of this year and she
spent a week at Highline Medical Center. When she returned home, Cheryl was
able, at times, to communicate more than in the past several years, and it was good to see her and be able to visit with her as we used to.
Cheryl faced the challenges of MS with great courage, and with Bob’s love and
devotion. She always answered the question, “How are you, Cheryl?” with, “I’m
fine”, as she gave you a big smile.