Nancy Lee (Russell) Olmsted, born in Jackson, MI on November 30, 1928, the beloved daughter of LM and Trudy Russell of Napoleon, MI, passed away peacefully on October 12, 2012 at age 83. Her life was marked by high ideals, love of family and friends, Christian values / beliefs, and service to others. She married her husband Norman Charles Olmsted on August 28, 1948 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Jackson, MI and he survives.
Left to celebrate her life and carry forward her legacy are her four children, Nannette Patrice (Gary) 
Kwiatek of Gregory, Marcia Ellen Myers of Jackson, Russell Norman (Laura Cornish) Olmsted of Ann Arbor, Jennifer Lee Olmsted of Gorham, NH; five grandchildren, Courtney Ellen Myers of Jackson, Elizabeth, Carolyn, and Sarah Olmsted of Ann Arbor, and Meaghann Marie (Anthony) Smith; one great-granddaughter, Nina Marie Smith of Grand Rapids; and one sister MaryLynne (Bob) Roberson of South Lake Tahoe, CA. She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Maria, who died at birth.
Nancy was a spirited lover of life. She was a Master Gardener, teacher, pianist and adventurer. Her travels included Giverny and Paris, France, Panama & the Caribbean, and Brazil to visit her exchange daughters in Sao Paulo. She loved the outdoors and nature. She used these loves and her talents as a Kindergarten teacher in Coldwater, MI. Later on she obtained a certificate in geriatric social services from the University of Michigan Turner Geriatric Clinic. She was employed by Neighborhood Senior Services (Ann Arbor) as a social worker and subsequently with the Jackson County Department on Aging. In retirement in Hendersonville, NC, she was active at St. James Episcopal Church and participated in their outreach to establish a halfway home for women newly released from correctional facilities. She also taught Spanish in Hendersonville.
The family is very grateful to the outstanding caregivers of Chelsea Retirement Center and Arbor Hospice that made mom’s final years comfortable and fulfilling. Visitation was held at the Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea on Sunday, October 14, 2012 from 1:00-5:00 pm. A memorial service took place Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012, 1:00pm at All Saints Episcopal Church in Brooklyn, MI. A private burial will be held at Oak Grove Cemetery in Napoleon, MI. Memorials can be given to the Chelsea Inter-generational Garden. Musical and artistic enhancements for this garden will be determined in partnership with the family. Envelopes for donation to the Garden will be available at the Cole Funeral Chapel or donations can be made directly to the Chelsea Senior Center, 512 E. Washington St., Washington Street Education Center, Chelsea, MI 48118; www.chelseaseniors.org. Please indicate donations are made in honor of the Nancy Olmsted Memorial.
Click here to view or sign Nancy's online guestbook