Kathleen Olsen

Mrs. Kathleen Colleen Elizabeth Hughes Olsen died Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009, after surviving eight and one-half years past a diagnosis of multiple myeloma cancer. She made her final passage at home with family members in attendance. She was a resident of Rosemont.

Kathleen was born in Kentucky, the fifth child out of eight to Hazel and Tom Hughes. She graduated from Hammond High School in Alexandria, Va., in 1971, and attended two years of college at Virginia Polytechnic Institute before finalizing her life-long education goal of learning through experience and teaching others to make the world better than they found it. She married Lawrence D. Olsen July 3, 1976. Kathleen was the beloved mother of three daughters, Sara Hughes Olsen (30), Rebecca Strawhun Parde (28), and Emily Thomas Olsen (13). She had two grandchildren, Katrina Hughes Parde (4), and Adam Koehl Parde (17 months). A treasured sister, she is survived by her siblings, Thomas Hughes of Bodega Bay, Calif., Alexander Hughes of Little River, S.C., Kevin Hughes of Jeffersonton, Va., Theresa Hosch of Springfield, Mo., Patricia Craddock of Jacksonville, Fla., and Mark Hughes and Michael Hughes, both of Fairfax, Va. Additionally, she is survived by her stepmother, Nancy Vesper Hughes, of Jeffersonton, Va.; and her stepsister, Lisa Vesper of Sante Fe, N.M.

Throughout her life, Kathleen remained dedicated to core values of honesty, compassion and generosity. She was an active volunteer in every community where she resided. Her contributions spanned 30 years and were integral to the success of the parent participation in education in Alexandria, Va., Fort Washington, as well as in the Brunswick community schools. A good citizen award that bears her name was created in Fort Washington Forest Elementary School.

Her commitment to waste avoidance always ensured reuse and repurpose whenever possible. Her fervor for adventure led the family on RV and cross country trips touching all 50 of the United States.

Acknowledging her avid support of celebrating life, Kathleen's family is hosting a memorial celebration and potluck reception Saturday, Feb. 28, at Mar Lu Ridge of Jefferson. Specific information regarding the service and reception will be posted on the following website: http://66.95.6.214/Kathleen.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that you give blood at the local donor location. If you are not eligible to donate blood, please encourage someone else to do so.