Olga Helen Pender

Olga Helen (Siedliski) Pender
Loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister; 70

SHIRLEY -- Olga Helen (Siedliski) Pender, 70, died Thursday, May 8, 2014, at her home at 5 Catherine's Way in Shirley, after a two-year battle with cancer. Olga died peacefully with her husband of 50 years, M. Jon Pender, at her side. She was 70 years old.

Olga was born on October 1, 1943, to Anthony C. and Blanche M. (Pliska) Siedliski of Shirley. She was the fourth child, following brother, James and sisters, Nancy and Beverly.

A 1960 graduate of Ayer High School, Olga was a cheerleader and prom queen, before subsequently graduating from the Chandler School for Women in Boston. Olga would go on to proudly serve the U.S. Government full-time for 26 years in civilian service at Fort Devens and Hanscom Air Force Base in Central Massachusetts. Upon retirement, her tireless work ethic led her to work for another decade-plus for the Town of Ayer, garnering a second well-earned retirement.

On February 1, 1964, Olga married the love of her life, Jon. The two would have three sons, Jon, Michael, and Matthew, raising them in Ayer at 28 Nashua Street. Olga lived her life fiercely by the code of "family first", forever devoting her heart and energy to the betterment of her husband, sons, and family. This deep devotion to family was further witnessed in the sense of duty she felt in tirelessly caring for her parents on a daily basis throughout their final years. No sacrifice was ever too big or too small when it came to family.

A lifelong parishioner of St. Mary's Church in Ayer and St. Anthony's in Shirley, Olga had a passion for gardening, antiques, travelling and her nine grandchildren.

Olga is survived by her husband, Jon Pender; sons, M. Jon Pender Jr. of Harvard, Michael P. Pender of Holden, and Matthew V. Pender of Miami Beach, Fla.; brother, James P. Siedliski of North Carolina; sisters, Nancy J. Siedliski of Shirley, and Beverly A. Stauffer of Pennsylvania. She also leaves nine grandchildren.

PENDER -- A funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m., Wednesday, May 14th at St. Anthony's Church, 14 Phoenix Street, Shirley. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Ayer. Calling hours are 4-7 p.m., Tuesday at the T.J. Anderson & Son Funeral Home, 25 Fitchburg Road, (Rte. 2A), Ayer. Please see www.andersonfuneral.com for additional information. Memorial contributions may be made to the Emerson Hospital Oncology Clinic, Att: Dr. John Dubois, 133 ORNAC, Concord, MA.