Evelyn Virginia Olchowski, 100, died Friday, March 9, 2018, at Kimball Farms Nursing Care Center.
Evelyn was born Aug. 14, 1917, in Sandy Springs, South Carolina, to the late George and Ada Keasler. She was one of six children; her four brothers and one sister are now deceased. She attended local schools and was a 1934 graduate of Sandy Springs High School.
After high school and working for two years, Evelyn attended nursing school in Greenville, South Carolina, graduating in 1940. Mrs. Olchowski joined the U.S. Army May 1, 1941. She was assigned to Camp Davis, North Carolina, where she met her husband, Edward F. Olchowski, D.M.D. They were married Aug. 29, 1943, in Myrtle Beach, North Carolina. Evelyn was honorably discharged Dec. 11, 1945, with the rank of first lieutenant. After the war, the couple moved to Pittsfield, where Evelyn worked with her husband to establish his dental practice of 45 years. Dr. Olchowski died Sept. 17, 1993, shortly after celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.
Throughout their marriage, Evelyn enjoyed cooking and entertaining, and traveling all over the world. She and her husband played bridge often, were avid tennis players and skiers, and were active in their community. Evelyn was the consummate wife, mother and grandmother hosting elaborate family meals, helping out her grandchildren and keeping the household running smoothly while maintaining her southern charm.
Evelyn’s family included four children: Steve E. (Hawkins) Olchowski, M.D. (deceased), Regina E. Olchowski (Edward Potter) of Atlanta, Georgia, Edward C. Olchowski, M.D. (deceased), and Janet O. Kmetz (Robert) of Topsfield; 13 grandchildren: I. Alexander Olchowski, Adam Olchowski, Eric Olchowski, Amy (Logan) Nedervelt, Nicholas Hawkins, Zachary Hawkins, Jonathan (Margaret) Potter, Katherine Potter, Sara Cornwall, James Olchowski, Brian (Sarah) Kmetz, John Kmetz and Adrienne (Christopher) Fuller; four great-grandchildren: Evelyn and Marvin Kmetz, and Imogen and June Potter; and daughter-in-law Bonnie Olchowski of Barrington, Rhode Island.
The funeral of Mrs. Evelyn V. Olchowski will be a Liturgy of Christian Burial Saturday, April 21, at 10 a.m. at St. Ann’s Church in Lenox where she was a communicant. The burial will be in Our Lady of Czestochowa Cemetery in Turner Falls at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in Evelyn’s memory may be made to St. Ann’s Church or to HospiceCare in the Berkshires in care of Roche Funeral Home, 120 Main St., Lenox, MA 01240. To share memories and stories, visit rochefuneralhome.com.
