Obituary of Elizabeth L. Olley

Elizabeth L. "Betty" Olley, 97, of Marcellus, NY, passed away on February 23, 2018 with her family at her side. Beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Betty was a strong, independent, and caring woman. She was born Elizabeth Ann Lobdell in Syracuse, NY, March 16, 1920, the cherished only child of Raymond and Grace (Greenwood) Lobdell. She graduated from Baldwinsville Academy in 1938, and went on to attend Powelson Business Institute. She worked at Crouse-Hinds where she met her husband Earl Olley, and they married in 1941. In 1948, shortly after starting a family, they moved to Marcellus to settle and raise their family. Betty was a pillar of Marcellus First Presbyterian Church where she became a member soon after moving to Marcellus. She was passionate about the Presbyterian Church, not only locally, but at large. While working for Marcellus First Presbyterian as Administrative Assistant for 35 years she served as Clerk of Session, became only the second woman Moderator of the Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse, President of Cayuga-Syracuse Presbyterial, served on committees of the Synod of the Northeast, and as a member of the Women Employed by the Church Committee of the General Assembly. She was a Certified Fellow in Church Business Administration of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A), and life member of the Administrative Personnel Association of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A). Besides spending time with her beloved family, Betty loved to read, swim, knit, and travel. She so adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and they too adored her. She was an ever-gracious host to family and friends, and loved to socialize. Betty is predeceased by her husband of 48 years, Earl Olley, and survived by their three children, Richard (Sue), Brian (Dianne), and Joanne (James) Rienhardt; five grandchildren, Michael (Allison), Mark (Angela), Matthew (Tara), Aerin (Desmond) Armstrong, and Sabrina (David) Renner; and 12 great-grandchildren. A memorial funeral service will be held 1:00pm Saturday, March 10, 2018 in the Marcellus First Presbyterian Church, 1 East Main Street, Marcellus. The family will greet friends after the service. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a memorial gift to Marcellus First Presbyterian Church, PO Box 147, Marcellus, NY 13108.