Olson, Colleen
Colleen Olson of Windsor died Thursday, August 19, 2021 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Carmen Colleen Straub was born on November 7, 1946, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to the late George Carl Straub and Evelyn Marie (Gaul) Straub. The daughter of a country school teacher and a shy but bright student, Colleen attended school in Tipton,
Iowa.
Colleen earned a Bachelor of Music from the University of Iowa; a Master’s degree and 6th-year certificate from Central Connecticut State University; and numerous graduate credits from The Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford. After teaching a few years in various midwest states, Mrs. Olson taught general elementary music for the Windsor Public Schools for over 30 years, sharing her love of music, singing and
movement with thousands of children. Colleen was honored as the 1997-1998 Teacher of the Year at John F. Kennedy Elementary School in Windsor. Over the years, she served as a mentor to numerous student teachers from The Hartt School of Music.
Colleen served in various leadership capacities for the Kodály Educators of Southern New England and on the Connecticut Chapter American Orff-Schulwerk Association board. Through countless workshops, conferences and courses at the Hartt School of Music, she strived to better meet the individual needs of her students. Acknowledging her outstanding contributions as a music teacher whose sustained teaching served as a
model and inspiration for students and colleagues, Mrs. Olson was presented with the 2009-2010 Elementary Music Educator of the Year Award by The Connecticut Music Educators Association.
Colleen enjoyed performing especially large works as a member of various choral groups. A fervent supporter of the arts, she appreciated attending live choral, orchestral, ballet and musical theater performances and visiting museums, historical homes and gardens. As an advocate for conservation, she strived to make her organic garden an oasis and share her love of gardening with others. Mrs. Olson was also well known for her widely appreciated brownie- and oatmeal cookiemaking skills.
She was a member of the First Church in Windsor for over 40 years, singing in the choir in the early years and later becoming a member of the flower committee,
sharing the bounty of her garden for summer services and with those who could not attend in person. Aligned with her interests in genealogy, historic preservation and lifelong learning, she was a member of the Windsor Historical Society and The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.
Colleen is survived by her husband Richard G. Olson (Windsor), daughter Andrea E. Olson (Hartford), daughter Rebecca E. Olson, son-in-law Anton Naef and grandchildren Olivia Olson Naef and Michael Olson Naef (Brisbane, Queensland, Australia) and brother Rodney L. Straub (Loveland, Colorado) and his children and grandchildren (Colorado). She will be remembered by all for her grace, patience, generosity and strength. A time of visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, August 27, 2021, from 4-6 p.m. at the Carmon Windsor Funeral Home, 807 Bloomfield Ave., Windsor. Funeral services for Colleen will be private. Memorial donations may be made to the First Church of Windsor Music Committee, 107 Palisado Ave., Windsor, CT 06095 or to the Windsor Historical Society, 96 Palisado Ave., Windsor, CT 06095 or to the Disabled American Veterans 35 Cold Springs Rd., Rocky Hill, CT 06067. To leave a message of condolence for her family, or to view a live stream of the funeral service on Saturday, August 28 at 10 a.m. please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com.