Mae G. Olsen

Colonie- Mae Olsen, loving wife and mother, jovial grandmother and doting great grandmother passed away after a brief illness on Saturday, December 28, 2019, surrounded by her faithful and devoted family.
Mae was born in Stuyvesant, NY on February 18, 1936 to Emma Regina (Murphy) Cleary and William Francis Cleary. Mae was the fourteenth of fifteen Cleary children and always loved to tell stories of their upbringing that was short on material things but rich in love and laughter. Mae married John W. Olsen, in St. Patrick's Church, Albany, on August 20, 1955, beginning what would be a loving and busy 64 year marriage filled with lots of children, family, friends, food, parties and love!
In addition to raising five children in the Town of Colonie, Mae was employed at various local businesses, such as, Honikel's Pharmacy, The Century House, CHP, but her favorite was Emma Cleary's, where she worked alongside her daughter, Karen. Mae was a favorite at Emma Cleary's, where she was likely to be seen joking with customers and putting on a one-woman show for all of her regulars. Mae loved to entertain and laugh, especially with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a fan of Jerry Lewis movies, loved a funny story, and was a frequent hostess of card parties and family gatherings.
In addition to her loving husband, John, Mae is survived by her children, John (Ginger) Olsen, Dallas, TX; Bruce (Sandra) Olsen,Glenmont , NY; James (Robin) Olsen, Slingerlands, NY; Karen (Charles) Sullivan, Latham, NY; Mark (Patricia) Olsen, Latham, NY, as well as fourteen grandchildren, Jillian, Shannon, Adam, Charles, Daniel, Jarrod, Christopher, Jonathan, Sara, Megan, Rebecca, Andrew, Alexandra, and Benjamin, as well as fifteen great grandchildren. Mae is survived by her siblings, Arlene Smith, John (Roberta) Cleary, James (Charlotte) Cleary, and Donald (Shirlee) Cleary. Mae is also survived by her in-laws Robert (Carol) Olsen and Delores (Gene) Messercola. Mae is predeceased by her beloved mother Emma, her father William, her brothers Joseph, William and Kenneth; her sisters Betty, Mary, Nora, Frances, Virginia, Evelyn, and Rita. Family was always the most important thing to Mae and her family was always aware of her love for them.
A special thanks to Mae and John's neighbors, Janek and Kelly Chrzanowski, who always lent a helping hand and epitomized what a true neighbor is meant to be. Gratitude is also extended from the family to Luzette Polanco and Dani Ramos who took loving care of our mother and father during her illness. Thank you also to The Community Hospice team who were so truly helpful taking care of Mae and guiding her family through this difficult time.
Calling hours for Mae's relatives and friends will be on Friday, January 3, 2020, from 4pm-7pm at New Comer Cremations and Funeral Home, 181 Troy Schenectady Road, Watervliet. Funeral services on Saturday, January 4, 2020 at 11am at New Comer Cremations and Funeral Home, to be followed by burial at Memory Gardens, 983 Watervliet Shaker Road, Colonie.
Those wishing to remember Mae in a special way may send a donation in her name to The Community Hospice, 445 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205.