Olga Mahaney

1927 - 2015

Olga Mahaney 1927 - 2015 ENCINITAS Olga Allison Madge Mahaney, 88, died peacefully on September 3, 2015 in Encinitas, California. Olga (nee Olga Birtwistle) was born on January 7, 1927 in Lancashire, England, the youngest of five children. Olga worked in London during the Second World War and survived the Blitz. After the war, she travelled to Germany with a refugee relief organization. It was during this work that Olga met her future husband, Robert Mahaney. Olga married Robert and moved to Washington, D.C. She spent two decades in Washington, D.C., eight glorious years in Paris, France, and the last fifteen years of her life in San Diego, California. Olga was an avid tennis player her entire life. The highlights of her tennis career included playing in the French Open in her younger years. For many years, she was a tennis instructor and ran a small tennis club in Bethesda Maryland. After raising her family, she returned to tournament play and became a Senior National Champion. She was the 1999 USTA National Women's 70s Hard Court Singles Champion, the 2000 USTA National Women's 70s Clay Court Singles Champion, the 2004 USTA National Women's 75 Indoor Singles Champion, the 2004 USTA National Women's 75 Clay Singles Champion, and the 2005 USTA Women's 75s Indoor Singles Champion. Her tennis career took her all over the United States and to South Africa, Turkey and Spain, where she represented the United States in international tournaments. Olga also loved to watch tennis, especially her favorite men players Patrick Rafter and Rafael Nadal. Olga had a zest for life and an adventurous and independent spirit that took her all over the world. She loved to read, play and watch tennis, exercise, garden, travel and meet new people. She loved animals, especially horses, cats and dogs and supported many animal rescue charities. She was a woman of faith and attended mass at St. Therese of Carmel Catholic Church for many years. She had a great sense of humor, and an infectious smile. She will be greatly missed by her three children, Alexandra, Brendan and Mark Mahaney and her five grandchildren Kendall Mahavier and Noah, Carter, Aidan and Malcolm Mahaney. Her wonderful spirit will be celebrated in a service of Christian Burial to be held on September 21st at 10 a.m. at St. Therese of Carmel Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to an animal rescue charity. Please sign the Guest Book online obituaries.utsandiego.com Olga Mahaney 1927 - 2015