Donna Olfson
“…and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand…”
Donna Mae (Murphy) Olfson passed away peacefully October 17th 2022, seven months following her sweetheart and life partner, Swede. Born in New London, Wisconsin on July 10, 1928, to Elsa and Patrick Murphy, Donna was the eldest of three with two younger brothers, Tom and Ray. Growing up in Green Bay, both her
father and later her brother Tom served as team dentists to the Green Bay Packers, securing Donna and the rest of her family as a lifelong Packers fans. After graduating St. Joseph’s Academy, she attended the College of St. Theresa, then transferred to the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where she graduated from School of Music with a bachelor’s degree. While in college, Donna was a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority and as fate had it, she was introduced to the love of her life, Swede. As the tallest members of their sorority and fraternity respectively, Donna and Swede were paired to dance together for a performance of “Humerology” - a time honored annual charity musical variety showcase put on by the University of Wisconsin campus Greek life. Donna and Swede were together thereafter.
After graduation, Donna worked as a Primary and Secondary School Music teacher, also teaching English, French and Library skills at schools in Kiel and Middleton, Wisconsin and subsequently at Indian Creek School in Maryland. Although she moved away from teaching, Donna instilled the importance of music education and love of music in her children and grandchildren. To her final days, Donna loved that family gatherings would often conclude with piano, guitar playing and joyful singalongs.
Donna and Swede were joined in marriage on June 20, 1953. In 1959, now with two daughters, they relocated to Annapolis when Swede accepted a position as Vice President and Patent Counsel at Chesapeake Instrument Corporation.
From early on in Annapolis, Donna was committed to community involvement and charitable work. Throughout her life, she served as a member of many local boards and community social groups. She is a past president of the Panhellenic Club of Annapolis, the Hammond Harwood House Board of Trustees and the Anne Arundel General Hospital Board of Directors. She was a board member of the
Children’s Theatre of Annapolis, Historic Annapolis, House and Garden Pilgrimage Anne Arundel County. Echoing her love of flowers and gardening, she was also a proud member of the Four Rivers Garden Club. She served as Residential Chairman of United Way Anne Arundel County. In addition to her tenure for many years on the Anne Arundel General Hospital Board of Directors including serving as Board President 1983-1986, she repeatedly chaired the Anne Arundel General Hospital Auxiliary fundraiser.
Donna lived a spectacular life and loved the home that she and Swede built on Forest Point, which served as a central place for family gatherings and a welcome port for many family friends from all over the world. Locally, Swede and Donna were lifetime members of the Annapolis Yacht Club, The Sailing Club of the Chesapeake, and The Marlborough Hunt. Upon Swede’s retirement, Donna and Swede spent many years traveling the world, with most winters sailing up and down the inland waterway and living in Hope Town, Bahamas, but never missing a ski season in Telluride, Colorado, which became a treasured place for the entire family. The adventures and friendships that grew through these activities are those Swede and Donna recalled most fondly. Donna is predeceased by her husband James “Swede” Olfson, her brother and sister-in-law Dr. Thomas and Betty Murphy, her brother Dr. Raymond Murphy, and her son Erik Olfson. She is survived by her sisters-in-law, Mary Olfson, Mary Fitzgerald, and Beverly Murphy (Raymond), her loving children; daughter Dr. Kristina Olfson and son-in-law Dr. James Wayman of Pebble Beach, CA, daughter Karin Mewbourne and son-in-law Vice Admiral Dee Mewbourne of Harwood, MD, and daughterin-law Susie Olfson (Erik) of Galesville, MD. Her memory is honored in death by her grandchildren Kirsten Bauer, Hunter and Brie Mewbourne, Meredith and Cdr. R.J. DaPrato, Connor Mewbourne, Haleigh Wayman and Erik Fleming, Maddie Olfson, Olivia Wayman and her great grandchildren Gigi, Everly, Freja, Jojo, Ella, and Izzy. Donna is beloved by many nephews and nieces and her extended family from Florida to Baltimore, Germany to Green Bay, Hope Town and Telluride and is survived by many dear friends.
Funeral mass to be held on November 23, 2022 at 11 am at Our Lady of Sorrows in Owensville, MD. Reception to follow at the church hall. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Donna’s name to Hammond-Harwood House 19 Maryland Avenue Annapolis, Maryland 21401 (or https://hammondharwoodhouse.org/donate/ ) or Emergency Department at Luminus Health Anne Arundel Medical Center payable to LH AAMC Foundation (AAMC Foundation, 2000 Medical Parkway, Belcher Pavilion Suite 604 Annapolis, Maryland 21401)