Obituary of Dorothy Olson

OLSON, Dorothy Oshlag, 99, died peacefully September 27, 2017 in Tucson, AZ, following major surgery. Born April 12, 1918, in New York City, daughter of Joseph Oshlag and Bessie (Brause) Oshlag, she and her family moved to New Rochelle, N.Y., where she grew up. Dorothy was graduated from New Rochelle High School and was a graduate of Oberlin College (Ohio) '39. On graduation she worked for a weekly newspaper in Bronxville, N.Y. In 1941 she joined the magazine, Architectural Forum, as production manager, meeting the contemporary architects of the period. She then worked for Time, Inc., where her job as production supervisor included producing the "pony editions" of the magazine for the troops serving abroad. Time sent her to post-war Europe to find a place to print Time and Life magazines. She selected Paris where she had to locate supplies, work with unions, and organize the circulation of the publications, all with only one year of college French. In 1947 she joined the Columbia University Center for Mass Communications in N.Y., where she worked for 17 years producing public service films, radio and articles for nonprofit organizations. The short films they produced won many awards. In 1963 she married Paul N. Olson, a Vt. lawyer, and moved to Brattleboro, Vt., where they resided for 40 years. Paul and Dorothy were deeply involved in the support of arts and education in Vermont, including the Marlboro Music School and Festival, Putney School, Marlboro College and the Brattleboro Music Center. An active potter and film maker, Dorothy was a committed supporter of the arts. She was elected to the Board of the Vermont Arts Council for two 4-year terms, serving as the first female chair of its board. She was appointed to the National Crafts Council of the National Endowment for the Arts to interview artists and report on crafts throughout the U.S. She co-produced a prize-winning documentary, Bridge of Fire, about two talented potters. When Paul retired, they moved to Tucson. Dorothy remained active: making pottery, taking courses at the University, attending and supporting the Arizona Friends of Chamber Music, and tutoring area youth in reading as well as actively participating in residents' committees at their retirement community. Dorothy was predeceased by her husband, her parents and brother, and is survived by her first cousins, Phyllis Kisloff of Riverdale, N.Y., and Elliot Brause of New Haven, Conn.; nieces, Elizabeth W. Olson of Dorset, Vt., and Jean Olson Langway of Atlanta, Ga., and many devoted friends. She will be remembered for her constant curiosity, sense of humor and capacity for friendship. A Memorial Service was held in Tucson on Saturday, October 28, 2017 in the Arizona Room at Brookdale Santa Catalina Villas. A Memorial Service will be held in Marlboro, Vermont, at a later time. Memorial gifts in her honor may be given to the Dorothy O. Olson and Paul N. Olson Music Fund at Marlboro College, Literacy Connects of Tucson or another charity of your choice. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel.