San Jose

After living a very full life filled with family, friends and travel, Shirley Anne Olszewski died peacefully at the age of 93, on September 28, 2024. She was born in Denver, CO on February 21, 1931 and also lived in Oregon and Washington until settling in San Lorenzo and then San Jose, CA. She was married to her beloved husband John C. Olszewski for 58 years until his passing in 2009. She was the mother of 5 children, 4 sons: Douglas (Partner Sue) from Pleasanton, Bruce (Kami) from San Jose, Dale (Partner Wanda) from Florida, and Gary (Wendy) from San Jose, and daughter Sheree (Bill) from South Carolina.

She bragged of her 7 grandchildren Jennifer (Luke), Matt (Jordan), Kelly (Beau), Justin, Emily, Reed, and Max and even more so of her 5 great grandchildren, Caiden, Ainsley, Hadley, Harper and Eliana.

She enjoyed many years as a stay-at-home mom, cooking, baking (her famous lemon pies), sewing, needlework, and crocheting and volunteering as PTA President and Girl Scout Cookie Chairman. She rejoined the work force when all of her children were in school and retired as a loan processor for Shapell Industries. In retirement she was an avid volunteer at the San Jose Airport working in the information booth and loved “telling people where to go!” She took up golf and enjoyed its challenges plus enjoyed many cruises and travels around the United States and Europe. She rarely missed watching her beloved San Francisco Giants and 49ers play their games, as well as her own grandchildren’s sports.

She leaves behind a very special group of friends in her Love Circle Marriage group, her bridge playing partners, and her fellow seniors at Almaden Valley. She was predeceased by her husband John C. Olszewski, brother Gerald Williams, sister Diane Sternberg, and brother-in-law Bill Sternberg.

Family and Friends are invited to join the Funeral Mass at St. Christopher Catholic Church (2278 Booksin Avenue San Jose, CA 95125) on Monday, November 4, 2024 at 11:00AM with a Celebration of Life to follow.