Obituary of Santa Lydia Olson

Santa "Sue" Olson, 85, of Upper Moreland passed away on December 12th after a valiant three-and-a-half-year battle with pancreatic cancer.  She remained cheerful and upbeat to the end with warm smiles to greet her many visitors.  She was the beloved wife of Gene Olson for over 56 years.

Sue was born Santa Lydia Messina in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 11th, 1933 to the late Giovanni and Lena (Lima) Messina.  After her birth mother passed away when she was very young, she was raised by her father and Stepmother Carmela (Bonanno).  She graduated from South Philadelphia High School in 1951.

Sue worked for many years as a stenographer, secretary and bookkeeper for various organizations including Huntington Valley Country Club.  She was very active in her local Questers chapter and unusually lucky in their yearly basket raffle!  She also had many hobbies including ceramics, tennis, cooking, crocheting and sewing.

More than anything she loved to spend time with her family, making sure everyone was well fed and comfortable.  She also greatly enjoyed reading books while listening to the ocean and eating ice cream cones by the beach in Ocean City, New Jersey.

Along with her husband, she is survived by her beloved sister Della Messina, her daughter Lori Laufer (husband Joseph, children- Natasha, Nicholas and Katie) her son John (wife Kristine, children - Grant and Leah).  As well as her sister-in- law Rose, nieces, nephews and their families.  She was predeceased by her brother Anthony in 2006.

Relatives and friends may greet the family Tuesday 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Louis Swift Plunkett Funeral Home 529 N. York Rd. Hatboro. Funeral Mass Wednesday 10:30 A.M. at St. John Bosco Church 235 E. Countyline Rd. Hatboro. There is no morning viewing. Interment is private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

1500 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 200
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

www.pancan.org