Laurel J. Beck Olson

Laurel Beck Bartholomew Olson, 79

North Greenbush -Laurel Beck Bartholomew Olson, 79, formerly resided with her daughter Susan at 604 Pawling Avenue Troy, NY, peacefully walked into the Lord's arms Monday, December 5, 2005 at Van Rensselaer Manor in North Greenbush under the care of Hospice.

Born in Lansingburgh, she was the daughter of the late John Beck and Sigrid (Thomson) Beck and wife of Ernest Olson of Leesburg, FL and the late John Arnold Bartholomew.

She was raised in Lansingburgh by a Danish father, John, who co-owned Beck Printing Company on 112th Street and was educated at Lansingburgh High School, Troy Business College 1944 and Stenotype School of Albany in 1976.

Laurel had an interesting career as a New York State employee for 21 years, 14 which were served in OGS until retirement. Later in life Laurel became a Court Reporter for criminal court in Shelby County, Memphis, Tennessee where she retired. Returning to New York State, she worked four years for Troy Area United Ministries as a secretary.

She was a former member of the Memphis Business and Professional Woman's organization and a Charter Member of Tennessee Criminal Court Reporters Association serving as Vice President. She had many years in the Presbyterian church and had served as a deacon. While in Florida, she was a 'bell ringer' at her church, something she really enjoyed. Laurel will be remembered for her hobbies of baking that satisfied generations and friends, and her great skill in knitting many sweaters for the family.

Survivors include her five children, Craig Bartholomew (Becky) of Columbus, OH, Jane (Bartholomew) Horan (former husband William and longtime significant partner Josh Graham) of Saratoga, Susan (Bartholomew) Callahan (former husband Daniel Callahan) of Troy, David Bartholomew (Elaine) of Waterview, VA and Karen Wilhelm-Lajeunesse (Michael) of Lexington, KY; her grandchildren, Christina and Victoria Bartholomew, William Horan (Rebecca), Tammy Cooper (Donald), Sean and Kristin Callahan and Thomas Lajeunesse; her great grandchildren, Emily, Rachel, Cody, Donnie and Jessica; a great great granddaughter, Makayla Rose; several cousins in Canada and Lansingburgh; a special nephew, Thomas Beck of Indianapolis, IN and good friends Wellington (Tate) Taylor, Betty Jones, Margaret Stoner, and all her friends at Shelby County Criminal Court. She was predeceased by two brothers, Arthur T. Beck and John Beck.

Funeral service will be held Saturday at 2:30 PM at the Gardner Earl Memorial Chapel at Oakwood Cemetery in Troy with Karyl Hopp, officiating.

Relatives and friends may call at the Bryce Funeral Home Inc. 276 Pawling Avenue Troy, Saturday from 12 noon - 2 PM prior to the service.

Interment Oakwood Cemetery in Troy.

Contributions may be made in memory of Laurel Olson to the Van Rensselaer Manor Activities Department 85 Blooming Grove Drive Troy, NY 12180 or The Community Hospice of Rensselaer County 295 Valley View Boulevard Rensselaer, NY 12144.

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