Barbara Jean Olsen

November 18, 1930 - November 6, 2018

Barbara Jean Olsen, aged 87, entered Heaven peacefully on November 6, 2018 at home in Santa Barbara, CA. Her beloved children were by her side. Barbara was born November 18, 1930, in Aransas Pass, Texas the daughter of Curlie and Marie Terry. Barbara was raised in Aransas Pass, Texas. She was the oldest of five siblings, Betty, Shirley, Carlotta and Curlie. After she graduated high school she was employed by a local insurance company. When her parents' earthly departure came all too early, she was partially responsible for raising and caring for the two youngest in her family, Carlotta and Curlie. From an early age, Barbara was bright, responsible, and dedicated to the well-being of others. Barbara married the love of her life, Phil G. Olsen in Corpus Christi, Texas after meeting him in a local Spanish class. The small-town Texas beauty queen swept Phil off his feet at first glance during his Naval training in south Texas. The life-long fairy tale love unfolded from there. Barbara followed Phil throughout the world as a dedicated military wife as he served our country as a lieutenant commander in the Navy. During this time, two handsome sons were born, Grant and Greg. While these two little bouncing boys were growing, Barbara was often left flying solo as a strong and confident mother in foreign lands such as Japan, due to Phil's service as a Navy pilot. Upon his retirement in 1965, their daughter Dana was born, and they moved to Santa Barbara. Barbara and Phil resided happily in Santa Barbara for the duration of their lives. In addition to raising three children, Barbara pursued her love of serving others by such things as volunteering as PTA President of Jefferson School, Rockwood Women's Club and the Museum of Natural History. Barbara was also heavily involved in the arts and taught ceramics at her studio in Mission Canyon. Over the years she befriended and was loved by many artisans in Santa Barbara. To support her friends and their talents, Barbara opened the Galeria del Mar on Stearns Wharf which gave local artists the opportunity to show and sell their beautiful artwork. It gave Barbara immense pleasure to support and encourage those she loved. Additionally, Barbara had a great appreciation for the outdoors and enjoyed camping, backpacking, hiking, birdwatching and wild flowers. Barbara also loved to travel and took many trips to spend time with loved ones in Utah, Texas, Oklahoma, New Zealand, Europe and Mexico. Barbara kept her mind sharp and educated with her love of books and she read everything and anything. Her most treasured time was spent laughing and chatting with her children, grandchildren, family and friends. Barbara will be remembered for many things but most of all for being a virtuous woman. She had the full confidence of her husband and she brought him good all the days of his life; she worked with eager hands and she added to the provision of her family; she helped those that were needy through deeds and words; she was clothed with strength and dignity and she laughed at the days to come; she spoke with wisdom and watched over the affairs of her household; though she is gone, her children arise and call her blessed. She had a zeal for truth and was not in favor of manmade religion, but she believed in God and His son and claimed Jesus as her personal savior. What is remarkable is that Barbara was so confident in knowing that she was a virtuous woman that she claimed Proverbs 31:10 for her gravestone which says, "Who can find a virtuous woman? For her worth is far above rubies." May our beloved Barbara be "honored for all that her hands have done and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." Proverbs 31:31 Barbara is preceded in death by her beloved husband Phil. She is survived by her sister, Carlotta LaLonde; son Grant Olsen and his wife Dyan; son Greg Olsen and his wife Kathy; daughter Dana Panossian and her husband Paul, and eight beautiful grandchildren that are the jewels in her crown, Wyatt, Erik, Jacob, Lily, Joseph, Chloe, Daniel and Sophia and many nieces and nephews. A private graveside service was held for immediate family members at the Santa Barbara Cemetery shortly after her passing. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, November 24th to which family and friends are invited. While our mama, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend will be greatly missed, we are confident that she rejoices in Heaven with our Lord Jesus, her husband Phil and other loved ones that have gone before her. We love and miss you Barbara Jean Olsen!