a022 I [W;M;gM] was an average baby, born on Tuesday 10th. June 1941 (1941 2nd quarter, Croydon, folio 2a page 1341), at 45 Foxley Road, Thornton Heath and registered on 01 July 1941, but was very thin as a child, which was the way I stayed until I married. In December 1942 I was living at 48 High Road Tottenham N15 and on 25 July 1944 I was living at 36 Priesthorpe Road in Bingley, and on 18 August 1944 I was living at 168 High Road N15. I disliked school, because of teasing. In my teens I had to go a health school, somewhere near Reading. When I was 15 years old I found Jesus at Robins Mission (London). After leaving school I worked at Gestetners until I was 24 years old. I then studied for two years at Moorlands Bible College. I moved to Exmouth, Devon, with my parents, and it was there that I met a021 John Olsen. We married on 19th August 1972 (1972 3rd quarter, Devon C, folio 7a page 1142). From October 1967 to January 1969 I worked at Stoke Lyne Hospital for handicapped children. I spent two years there as an assistant nurse caring for mentally disabled children from 5 to 15 years. I was encouraged to do my S.E.N. (State Enroled Nurse) which I did from Exmouth Hospital from January 1969 and passing in December 1971. Part of my training was at Exeter RD & E hospital where I did my children's orthopaedics, theatre training, caring for the elderly and 3 months training with the district nurse. From February 1971 to June 1972 I returned to Stoke Lyne Hospital. From June 1972 to March 1973 I worked as a Silver Waitress at the Imperial Hotel in Exmouth. In March 1973 we moved to Tavistock and initially I had a job making soldering irons. On 22/02/1974 our first son, a031 John Christian Olsen was born. From October 1974 to February 1988 I worked at Chollacot Nursing Home in Tavistock. I was in charge of four assistants and was able to dispense drugs. On 28/08/1976 our second son, a041 Thurstan Richard Olsen was born. For 5 years I worked at the weekends, but changed to 3 nights a week for 8 years once my boys were of school age. On 15/03/1988 we moved into Horbury Bridge Post Office, which was a subpostoffice, corner shop and sandwich takeaway. During our time in the Post office I was catering manageress in charge of the kitchen and preparation of the sandwiches. During 1990/1991 I had major surgery with an hysterectomy and ovariectomy. During 1995/1996 I had surgery again, this time for a cholecystectomy (removal of gall bladder). From October 2000 to September 2001 as well as working in the Post office I returned to nursing and worked as a care assistant at Snapethorpe Nursing Home. Whilst there I completed and passed my Return To Practice certificate. In 2002 we managed at last to sell the Post office, so we moved to a new house in Horbury. In 2004 I developed appendicitis and had an appendicectomy. Apart from baby sitting and normal housekeeping duties, I am now retired.
In June 2011 I celebrated my 70th birthday. John gave me a surprise, although I knew about it, party in the Ship Inn. It was a good and joyous time with family friends and neighbours.
On 19/08/2012, John and I celebrated our ruby wedding, 40 years. We renewed our wedding vows during a party held in our garden on 11/08/2012. Ian and Julie Nundy, our church pastors, officiated. It was a brilliant day with family, friends, and neighbours. We bought two gazebos. Jack and Jackie played the music for us. Jackie and John both gave us a speech.
On 10/06/2021 we celebrated my 80th birthday. We went down to Freda and Susan's for an afternoon tea on the Friday. On Sunday the 12th we invited friends and family for a garden celebration party. I got 22 cards. See pictures below. Shirley now has arthritis which hinders her walking and now has to walk with a walking stick.
On 19/08/2022, Shirley and I celebrated our Gold Wedding Anniversary, 50 years. Trying to get everyone together, was difficult , but we had a celebration meal on the 3rd September 2022 in the BullsHead pub, Horbury.
At the end of August the bathroom was finished and the 1st shower was difficult. Unfortunately Shirley fell and was taken to A & E and she had broken a bone on her right wrist and so had a pot put on. She couldn’t use the shower till beginning of November so it had to be strip washes on the commode. Because Shirley can’t walk we have difficulty in getting her into the car when needed so we have to rely on Paul to help me to carry Shirley down the 3 steps down to the road. I have spoken to our fence man, he did a good job of replacing the broken fences last year, for him to make a sloping path through the front garden to the road. Hoping I can push and pull Shirley into and out of the house by myself. He made a good job, and I can push her up. I have to say thanks to our family and friends for the help that we’ve been given since January. Lisa, Lucy, Freda and Sharon for many dinners they have given us; to Paul and Lisa for help with getting Shirley to the car and pushing her at the hospitals; to Freda for ironing my shirts: and to Thurstan for picking up Shirley when she fell before we went on CareLink.
On 20 April Shirley fell. CareLink got her up and asked if she was OK. Shirley said that she had bumped her head. They called for a doctor who was more interested with her bruises to her left hip. He said best to go to A & E. I rang Paul to help. He came over and we went to A & E. We went through triage at 2.45pm and saw a doctor at 6.45pm. He sent her for an Xray at 8 pm, but couldn't find a trolley. She went in at 10pm and came out at 11pm. At midnight the doctor said she was OK but wanted her to stay in hospital aver night. The only bed was in Dewsbury Hospital. There was a mix up of information, Dewsbury thought that she was walking at home so was concerned why she wasn't walking in the hospital. So They couldn't do anything for her but they kept her in. Unfortunately she got a bladder infection which stopped her being sent to a respite care home, but then she came down with covid. She was sent to an isolation ward. After 12 days, on 03 June 2023 she was sent to Chestnuts Care Home in Altofts. She was returned home on 18 July 2023. We moved the settee into the conservatory. We had to put a hospital bed into the lounge. Shirley has carers coming in four times a day. Unfortunately Shirley can't walk or sit up. Her legs are locked in and are very painful when moved and also her arms. When she came home from Chestnuts she had very bad bed sores.
Her condition got worse and the district nurses with my permission sent her to Ashby Lodge respite home, so that they could turn her over every two hours day and night. Shirley was so poorly that they put her on an end of life regime. Sadly on the 18th December I got a phone call at 7 pm to say that she had passed away. She was with Jesus. I got the home to tell Thurstan and John the news. Because of the holidays I had difficulty in getting her Death Certificate. Her funeral was held on the 9th of January 2024 at Wakefield Crematorium. Our pastor, Ian Nundy, led the service. It was a gentle loving Eulogy of Shirley's life. Afterwards we all went to Horbury Working Members Club for lunch. we left at 6.30 pm. It was good to see friends from years ago but in a sad time. On the 24th of July 2024 Shirley's Ashes were buried in Horbury Cemetery
I have lost my beautiful wife of 51 years.



Picture of John and Shirley's Wedding Day group.
Picture of John & Shirley Cutting the Cake. Notice John Edward Olsen and Doris Winifred Goodman.
Picture of John & Shirley ready to go on honeymoon..
Picture of John & Shirley June 2007.
Picture of our 5 Grandkids.
Picture of Shirley as a nurse.
Picture of Shirley Olsen.
Picture of young Shirley Olsen.
Picture of Shirley and Derek and Sylvia.
Picture of Shirley and 70th Birthday Cake.
Picture of 70th Birthday Presents.
Picture of Ruby Wedding - Ian, Julie,Shirley and John.
Picture of Ruby Wedding - Renewing Wedding Vows.
Picture of Ruby Wedding - Shirley and John.
Picture of Ruby Wedding - Friends.
Picture of Shirley in Spain 2015.
Picture of Shirley's 75th birthday 10/06/2016.
Picture of Mothering Sunday - Shirley and John 2016.
Picture of Maize Maze - Shirley and John 16/08/2017.
Picture of Lucy, John, Shirley and Bethany at Scarborough 2014.
Picture of Nell, Finn, Bethany, Lucy, Ashley and Shirley at Swithern Farm 2014.
Picture of Shirley at family at camp - Reeth N. Yorkshire August 2011.
Picture of Family at camp - Reeth N. Yorkshire August 2011.
Picture of John at family at camp - Reeth N. Yorkshire August 2011.
Picture of Shirley on her 80th birthday party 12/06/21.
Picture of Shirley's 80th birthday cake 10/06/21.
Picture of Shirley's 80th birthday lunch 10/06/21.
Picture of Shirley and Susan Roberts on her 80th birthday 10/06/21.
Picture of Shirley and Freda Roberts on her 80th birthday 10/06/21.
Picture of Our Golden Wedding Menu on 3 September 2022.
Picture of Our Golden Wedding Invitation on 3 September 2022.
picture of John, Shirley and Sylvia at Barbara Hepworth Museum about 2014.
Picture of Front of Order of Service, Funeral of Shirley 09 01 2024.
Picture of Order of Service, Funeral of Shirley 09 01 2024.
Picture of Thanks to attendees, Funeral of Shirley 09 01 2024.
Picture of Rear of Order of Service, Funeral of Shirley 09 01 2024.
Picture of Collection Envelope for Alzheimers, Funeral of Shirley 09 01 2024.
Picture of Death Certificate of Shirley 18 12 2023.
Picture of Harpins invitation to Funeral of Shirley 09 01 2024.
Picture of large jigsaw of 5 grandkids hanging on the lounge wall.
Picture of Small jigsaw of 4 kids of John hanging on the lounge wall.
Picture of Grave of Shirley June Olsen 24 06 24.
Picture of Shirley, Gill and Sister Reed. M.S.M June 67 - Sept 69.
Picture of Shirley and trolley M.S.M June 67 - Sept 69.
Picture of Shirley in corner of dining room. M.S.M Sept 66.
Picture of Shirley in Homoeopathetic Hospital. M.S.M June 67 - Sept 69.
Picture of Shirley a perfect accident. M.S.M June 67 - Sept 69.
Picture of Nurse Shirley and children at Stoke Lyne Hospital.
Picture of Shirley painting the office, Manchester 1967.
Picture of Shirley 1967.
Picture of Shirley feeding the ducks at Breia Vatnet, Stavanger Norway 08/1972.
Picture of Shirley at the wedding of Janet and Tony in Westminster Chapel May 1973.
Picture of Shirley and John Christian at Penny-Come-Quick, Dartmoor, 1974.
Picture of Shirley building the bedroom at 13 Trelawney Tavistock 1975.
Picture of Shirley building the bedroom at 13 Trelawney Tavistock 1975.
Picture of Interment grave of Shirley on 24 07 2024.
Picture of Certificate of Cremation 09 01 2024.