Mary Lind (Hayhoe) Olson

In Loving Memory of Mary Lind (Hayhoe) Olson
May 1, 1937 ~ February 2, 2025
Mary Olson, 87, our matriarch, was called to eternal rest on February 2nd.
Mary was born on May 1, 1937, in Adrian, MI to Mary Inez (McManamy) Hayhoe and James Samuel Hayhoe. She spent her adult life raising her children in East Lansing, MI and retired with her husband, Jim, in Naples, FL until recently when she returned to East Lansing.
Mary was a woman of great faith and was a very active member of her church community at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in East Lansing, MI and a Eucharist minister at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Naples, FL.
Fittingly, Mary met the love of her life at a golf outing as they were both avid golfers. Jim and Mary were married on August 23, 1958. Mary and Jim were card players, and everyone wanted Mary on their team for bridge because she always won.
She was a very active volunteer of her communities in both Michigan and Florida and wanted to see them thrive. She is very proud of her work as the 1st Executive Director of the Capitol Region Community Foundation. She was the past president of the Junior League of Lansing as well as past president of the League Club in Naples. She spent countless hours helping to organize the grand opening of Oldsmobile Park (now Jackson Field) as well as working on the Michigan Sesquicentennial Celebration.
Mary and Jim made their living as owners of the Capitol City Lumber Company in Lansing until their retirement.
Mary is preceded in death by her beloved husband, James Clifford Olson in 2000, her parents, brother James Hayhoe and an infant brother, brother-in-law Bill Olson, sisters-in-law Sharon Olson and Carol Olson, son-in-law Al Ecker, and many aunts and uncles. She is survived by her children Michelle Olson of Lansing, Kristine Feeney of Naples, Mike (Laura) Olson of Lansing, Nancy (Ben) Disharoon of Montpellier, VA, and Sandy Ecker (Bernie Seligman) of Naples; grandchildren Wendy Olson (Bryan Martin), Elizabeth Olson, Sam Olson, Joe Olson, Hannah Feeney (Nate Adams), Liam (Samantha) Feeney, Caitlin (Ben) Funkhouser and Ellerson (Heather) Disharoon. Her great-grandchildren were her biggest joy, Rowan, Adaline, Anastasia, Joan, Jakob, Sawyer and Gianna. She is also survived by brothers-in-law Don (Audrey) Olson and David Olson, and sister-in-law Kathy Hayhoe, as well as many nieces and nephews and dear friends.
Visitation will take place at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel, 325 W. Washtenaw St., Lansing, MI 48933 on Friday, Feb. 7 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm with the Rosary prayed at 7:00pm.
A Mass of Christian burial will take place on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 955 Alton Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823. The family will meet visitors one half hour before Mass. A luncheon will be served in the parish hall immediately following the Mass.
A private family burial will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Capital Region Community Foundation, Mary L. and James Olson Fund, https://ourcommunity.org/donor-services/donate-now?fn=mary-l-and-james-olson-fund, or the Sparrow Foundation Hospice, https://secure.qgiv.com/for/spaheasys/.
7 Messages to “Mary Lind (Hayhoe) Olson”
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Janine medler
February 4, 2025 at 10:49 pmMary was such a lovely lady. We appreciate her support and volunteerism in the junior league of lansing. She had a great smile and will always remember her.
Ellen Vanderburg
February 5, 2025 at 11:31 amMary was a class act and fine lady. I first met her when I became involved with the League Club in Naples. She helped mentor me and I will miss her wisdom and advice.
Linda Prince
February 5, 2025 at 6:22 pmMary was an amazing woman. We became neighbors four years ago when my husband and I bought a condo in Naples. She was not only a wonderfully welcoming new friend, but she was a wise and capable president of our HOA. So many of us were blessed to know her and appreciate her many gifts. What a legacy she has left. We have really missed her since she moved back to Michigan. Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family.
Jeffrey Lynett
February 5, 2025 at 6:54 pmGreat Lady, she will be missed. So nice her family was at her side.
Kathryn Hayhoe
February 6, 2025 at 11:32 amGraciousness, kindness and steadfastness are the qualities left behind in my memory of my dear sister in law. My life is blessed in many ways for having had her in it.
Heidi Varsames
February 6, 2025 at 9:05 pmMary was a special lady and a true leader in our League Club in Naples having served as President and I later served with her on the Board where she generously gave of her time as treasurer for many years. Mary was instrumental in creating our Endowment Fund, which will continue to further support our local community for many years. She will be remembered for her devotion to our club and the community. I loved her spirit, her endurance and her thoughtfulness. She will be missed.
Joe Smith
February 10, 2025 at 1:57 pmMrs. Olson was on the search committee when I was hired as General Manager of Countryside. Over the years, I spent a lot of time work with her on various items and always had tremendous for her and her involvement in the future of the club. She was a wonderful person and will be dearly missed.