Lillian Olesfskie

Celebrating the Life of Lillian Olesfskie

Lillian Olesfskie was born in East Rutherford, New Jersey, to Florence (Venturini) and Frederick Olesfskie. The family grew to include three additional daughters. They later moved to Wayne and then Clifton, New Jersey.

Lillian worked at William Paterson University in the business office, and later at Montclair State University. There she held positions in College High School, the Curriculum Resource Center, and the Department of Educational Leadership. In each office, Lillian was consistently appreciated for being organized, efficient, dependable, thorough, trustworthy, and kind to students, faculty, administrators, and colleagues. During those years, she also took time off to care for her ailing parents.

After Lillian retired in 1992, she and her sister Catherine relocated to Punta Gorda, Florida, and built a home near their sisters Irene and Anna. All four enjoyed playing mahjong and other games every Sunday. They were active volunteers at the Cultural Center of Charlotte County from 1993-2020, when the pandemic closed the facility.

Over the past decade, Lillian crafted unique and beautiful cards for family and friends. Her previous hobbies included league bowling, stamp and doll collecting. Each of the 200 dolls in her collection wears a traditional outfit from a different country.

Throughout her life, Lillian was sustained by a deep religious faith. She was a loyal and supportive friend. After learning to use the computer and internet in her early 80s, she thoroughly enjoyed writing letters and sending email to her friends around the country. For 30 years, she consistently donated to charities close to her heart, especially St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Lillian died peacefully from a heart condition. She was predeceased by her parents and two sisters, Irene Burden and Anna Place. She is survived by her sister Catherine Olesfskie of Punta Gorda, Florida, nieces Dianne Burden of Punta Gorda, Florida, Debra Fitzpatrick of Belchertown, Massachusetts, and Linda Checkley of Round Rock, Texas; along with numerous grandnieces and grandnephews.

A memorial gathering and interment at George Washington Cemetery in Paramus, New Jersey, will be scheduled at a later time. In her memory, family is requesting donations made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in her honor.

The loss we feel is immeasurable, but the love she gave us is much greater.