Linda Olsen

OLSEN, Linda Mary (Andrusky) Of Hingham, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully, on January 31, 2026, at Linden Ponds, after a courageous journey with Lewy Body Dementia. She was 82.

Linda loved to tell people she was a "Jersey Girl." She was born in Somerville, New Jersey, and raised in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. She was the daughter of Josephine (Melon) and Stephen Andrusky. She is survived by her devoted husband of 56 years, Richard Olsen; her children, Jennifer Olsen (Tim Morgan) of Albany, Vermont, Stephanie Giroux (David Giroux) of Arlington, Virginia, and Jonathan Olsen (Gayle Lyng) of Cincinnati, Ohio; and her five beloved grandchildren, Benjamin, Alexandra, and TJ Collins, and Avery and Stella Olsen. She is also survived by her brothers, Thomas Andrusky of Huntington Beach, California, and Douglas Andrusky of Oceanside, California. She was predeceased by her brother, Steven Andrusky.

Linda was a graduate of Scotch Plains–Fanwood High School and Trenton State College, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She later received a Master's degree in Special Education and Educational Leadership from Lesley University.

Linda's lifelong dedication to helping others and to education began early. As a young woman, she helped care for her siblings while her mother worked and was employed as an aide in a local nursery school. After college and prior to marriage, she taught elementary school in New Jersey. While raising her own children, she remained deeply committed to education through substitute teaching and active involvement in Parent Teacher Associations in Wellesley, Massachusetts.

During and following graduate school, Linda held special education teaching and leadership roles in Arlington, Massachusetts (Thompson and Hardy Schools), Boston (McKinley School), Chelmsford (Byam School) and Belmont (Winn Brook School). She was especially proud of her ten years with the Brookline Public Schools, where she served as Coordinator of the Brookline–Lesley University Internship Program and as an in-house consultant, supporting teachers and aides working with students on the autism spectrum.

In addition to her work in Brookline, Linda served as an adjunct faculty member at Lesley University and was deeply involved with the Autism Alliance of MetroWest, including service on its Board of Directors.

Outside of her professional life, Linda found joy in tending her garden, cooking and baking, taking long walks with Richard and doting on her grandchildren and granddogs. She loved hosting dinner parties, listening to Willie Nelson, devouring biscotti, spending time on the beaches of Jersey Shore and Bermuda, watching her grandchildren play sports and slipping them twenty dollar bills without anyone noticing.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Linda M. Olsen Library at the Autism Alliance. The library serves parents, professionals, grandparents, siblings, and individuals on the autism spectrum. Donations may be sent to Autism Alliance, 1881 Worcester Road, Framingham, MA 01701.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date.