Ruth Bogen Olson

After a long illness, Ruth Bogen Olson died in Oro Valley, Arizona on October 21, 2011.

The daughter of Benjamin and Anna Rose Bogen, she was born in Cleveland, Ohio on April 21, 1919.

Ruth will be sorely missed by her adoring husband, Irving J. Olson, with whom she shared a joyous, loving marriage for almost seventy-one years. Also in deep sadness are son, Stephen (Laura) Olson of San Francisco, Calif.; and daughter, Carolyn (Michael) Stelman of Salem, Mass. Grandchildren full of grief are Francine (Frank Vallejo III) Olson of San Mateo, Calif., Mark (Odette) Olson of Northbrook, Ill, Emily Olson of Chicago, Ill, Benjamin Olson of San Francisco, Calif., Jonathan Manheim (Michelle Lackie) of Washington, D.C., and Allison (Robert) Caplin of Arlington, Mass. Missing their great-grandmother are Amber, Justin, Shane and Caden Olson, Ryler Manheim and Alexander Caplin.

During her sixty years in Akron, Ohio, Ruth was a very active community leader. She was vice president of the Ohio Ballet, founding president of Akron ORT, president of Akron Hadassah, and president of the Temple Israel Sisterhood.

Ruth was a multilingual world traveler, and, like Irving, a skilled and award-winning photographer; she was also a talented needleworker, scrabble and bridge player. In addition, Ruth possessed exceptional culinary skills which she shared with many by entertaining lavishly in her home. Ruth and Irving have been members of Tucson's Temple Emanu-El since 2004, shortly after they completed their move from Akron to Tucson.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Irving J. and Ruth B. Olson Foundation c/o Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona, 5546 E. 4th Street, Suite 100, Tucson, AZ 85711-1452.