Published in the September 22, 2017 edition
MELROSE — Cynthia ‘Cinny’ Olson will forever be remembered as ‘sassy’ and full of life and always willing to help people with her generous heart. She died unexpectedly on Friday, September 14, 2017 in Melrose-Wakefield Hospital after being stricken ill at home. She was 71.
Cynthia Annette Hawes was born June 22, 1940 in Gadsden, Alabama, a daughter of the late Gordon and Neida Ruth (Johnson) Hawes. She graduated from Melrose High School with the class of 1958 and later earned her degree as licensed practical nurse at the Northeast Vocational School.
A lifelong Melrose resident she worked as an L.P.N. for many years at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, stationed primarily in Med 3 before retiring.
Other interests of Cinny’s included crafts and quilting and time spent with her family.
She is predeceased by her husband, Walter L. ‘Sonny’ Olson.
Cinny leaves her children, Lisa A. Smith and her husband, Joseph of Peabody, Sharon L. Santaniello of Medford, David B. O’Connell and his wife, Jessica of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Kyle Olson and his wife, Heidi of Gloucester; her grandchildren, Joseph Smith (Jamie), Patrick Smith (Kaitlyn Hyde), Cameron Smith, Nicole Santaniello, Mark Santaniello, Nicholas Santaniello (Jaimie McCarthy), Cloey, Avery, Ireland and Layla O’Connell, Derreck Rogers, Brody and Mia Olson; her great-grandchildren, Luke Smith and Jack Jamgochain; her sisters, Terry Kasprzak and her husband, Thomas of Melrose and Elizabeth Andonian of Winchester; nieces and nephews.
Family and friends honored and remembered Cinny’s life by gathering for a calling hour in The Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main Street, on Thursday, Sept. 21, from 10 – 11 a.m followed by her Funeral Service 11 a.m.
Memorials in Cinny’s name may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
