Obituary of Lorraine Olsen

Lorraine Olsen (nee Cavicchio) passed away peacefully on May 11, 2026, at the age of 94.  Born October 22, 1931, in West Brighton, Staten Island and moving to Westerleigh in 1999.  Lorraine was the loving wife of the late Harry E. Olsen for 60 years before his passing on March 21, 2011.

Lorraine was a graduate of PS 18 and Port Richmond High School.  She loved children and held various positions to be around them.  She worked as a Matron for the Pioneer Bus Company from 1977-1980, a safety agent at PS 19 in 1987, a school aide at IS 52 Annex and PS 36 in 1990.  She then retired in 1990.

Lorraine enjoyed the company of her kind SI neighbors and fun friends at the SI YMCA.  She was an avid BINGO player through the years.  Lorraine was very lucky playing Black Jack and Roulette in Atlantic City and Las Vegas.  She loved to play games when the whole family got together on special occasions.

A “snowbird”, Lorraine loved to spend her winters in Hollywood, Florida going to the YMCA of Broward County.  She stayed active there and made many friends.

For many years, she spent her summers at the Jersey Shore in Seaside Height, going to the beach with the Kearney Avenue neighbors, and hosting BBQs for family and friends.  Lorraine loved eating spaghetti and crabs that her husband caught and cooked.

“My mother was the friendliest person in the world. She talked to everyone and had a beautiful smile.  She will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her, said her daughter Rainee.

Lorraine leaves behind her children Lorraine (Bill Tanzosh), Harry (Kit Wetlesen), and Richie (Nancy Romond).  She is also the grandmother of Thomas, Stephen, Lisa, Kimberly, Nicholas, John, Kristen, Jillian and her late grandson Justin who passed June 28, 2014. A loving great-grandmother also to Mackenzie, Timothy, Charlie, Harper, Connor, Colton, Cooper, John, Aria, Savanna, Skylar, Genevieve and Madison. She was loved by her many nieces and nephews, one very special niece, Marilou (Cavicchio) Saladis and her health aide, Lisa Mollica, who she called “my best friend.”

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to:

For her love of children: Staten Island Children’s Museum

For her love of firefighters: Tunnel to Towers

Family and friends may visit the Matthew Funeral Home, 2508 Victory Blvd on Thursday 5/14 from 4-8 PM.  A service will be held at the funeral home on Friday 5/15 at 11AM.