Justina (Van Deusen) "Tina" Olson

Justina (Van Deusen) Olson, widow of Evert W Olson, formerly of Still Rd, Bloomfield, died Saturday (September 5, 2015) at Arden Courts, Farmington following a health decline. Born April 19, 1919 in the Presbyterian Mission Compound, Weihsien, Shantung Province, North China, she was the daughter of the late Rev Dr Courtland Calvin (Jr) and Mary (Lorenz) Van Deusen, serving as missionaries in Weihsien and Tsingtao, China. Tina, or Auntie T, as she was known to her family, was home-schooled in China before attending private boarding school. She was a 1935 alumna of the Pyengyang Foreign School [High School] in Korea, a 1940 alumna of Smith College, Northampton, MA, and a 1944 alumna of Radcliffe College, Cambridge, MA. Of keen intellect, she worked many years in human resources for Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, in Hartford and Bloomfield. Tina was also a former member of the Simsbury Light Opera Company, and was a current member of Emanuel Lutheran Church, Hartford. Justina was the granddaughter of Atty Courtland C and Mary A (Van de Bogart) Van Deusen of Canaan, Columbia County, NY, tracing her direct lineage back to Dutch settlers Abraham Pieterse and Tryntje (Melchiors) Van Deursen in New Amsterdam c1630, Abraham being the first miller in New Amsterdam and an advisor to the Director-General of New Netherland. She was also the granddaughter of Edmund Simon and Florence (Kumler) Lorenz of Dayton, OH, Edmund being the founder of the Lorenz Publishing Company, and the successor Lorenz Corporation, premier publishers of religious and handbell music. On September 8, 1962, Justina was married to Evert W Olson of West Hartford in the First Reformed Church, Chatham, NY. They resided in West Hartford before purchasing and renovating their home in Bloomfield, where they lived for nearly 50 years and she cultivated beautiful gardens. Justina is survived by her brothers, Dr Courtland C Van Deusen III, and his wife, Jeanne, of Columbus, NC, and the Rev Richard L Van Deusen, and his wife, Lois, of Mystic, CT; nieces and nephews: Christina, Courtland C IV, Edward J, and Laurence Van Deusen, all of NY; Roberta Chalmers of CA, Karen Moret of Switzerland, Eric L Van Deusen of CA, Gretchen Van Deusen of TX, and Kristin Duffy of FL; and Cynthia Bumps of VA and TX, and David P Van Deusen of South Windsor, CT. She was predeceased by her brother, Edmund L Van Deusen of CA, and her nephew, Richard L Van Deusen Jr of CT. In addition, Tina is survived by her sister-in-law, Arline E Olson of Farmington, CT; and Ev's nieces, Martha Davis of NYC and Bermuda, Karen Zaks of TX, Debra Donatelli of West Hartford, CT, Jill Nigro of CA, and Tobi Nason of OR. Of special note is the excellent care Justina received from the staff at Arden Courts but, most especially, grateful acknowledgement is expressed to Boat House caregiver Dzevida Okugic who cultivated a special bond with her. A graveside service will be held at the Olson family plot in Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford, at 10:30 AM on Saturday, September 12, 2015, with the Rev John Corgan, pastor of Emanuel Lutheran Church, officiating. In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that memorial contributions may be made to Emanuel Lutheran Church, 311 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106, or to a charity of the donor's choice, in tribute to Tina's life. Arrangements are entrusted to Taylor & Modeen Funeral Homes, West Hartford, CT. For directions and online condolences, please visit www.taylorandmodeen.com.