Joan L. (Miller) Olsen, 88, of Whitman, formerly of Weymouth, MA and The Villages FL passed away peacefully with family by her side on November 16, 2024.
Joan was born and raised in Quincy, MA (Germantown) where she met the love of her life, Bob (Olie) Olsen. The two were married in July of 1951 and shared a beautiful life together, full of love, family, friends, fun, and adventures. Their fun began with riding motorcycles as part of the Tumbleweeds Motorcycle Club out of Quincy, then moved on to camping, skiing, and snowmobiling in the White Mountains of NH. They boated around the South Shore which eventually led them to spending their summers on MV. Being an avid “Beach Bum,” this was one of Joan’s most favorite places to be. Their travel adventures brought them to the Caribbean, Hawaii, Alaska, just about everywhere in the US as well as a cruise through Europe.
She has a passion for dance and began teaching. Joan taught at the Adams Shore Community Center in Quincy as well as the Anna Garrity School of Dance in Weymouth before opening her own dance studio. “The Joan Miller School of Dance” began in the basement of her Weymouth home and eventually moved to the Cohasset Community Center where for many years she enjoyed teaching students of all ages, choreographing dances and putting on recitals for her students to showcase their talents and hard work.
In addition to her love for dance she enjoyed knitting, reading, shopping for bargains, poking around antiques shops, collecting books and dolls (her favorite being Kewpie dolls). She also loved flowers and anything to do with cats and leopard print.
If you were fortunate enough to have known Joan you would know what a loving, generous and caring person she was. She never missed a moment to make you feel special by acknowledging your birthday, a special occasion, or personal achievement with a card.
Beyond her interests, adventures, and fulfilling career, Joan loved spending time and making wonderful memories with her family most of all. She will be truly missed but never forgotten.
She is survived by her children – Cheryl (Lee) Corwin, Robert (Mary) Olsen and Sandra (Phil) Grasso. Grandchildren – Ryan Olsen, Leslie Sears, Jonathan Grasso, and Michelle Grasso Richardson. Great Grandchildren – Collin Sears, Frankie, Finn and Nate Duffy, Aibel, and Noah Richardson. Brother – Fred Miller, Sister – Susan Miller Ratti as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband Robert (Olie) Olsen, Grandchildren Michael Sears, and Katherine (Katie) Olsen Duffy.
A celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Any organization you may wish to make in her name can go to an Alzheimer’s Organization or St. Jude’s.