Jo-Ann Olsen

Jo-Ann Olsen, born on February 4th, 1943, has been reunited with her late beloved husband, Ben. They were high school sweethearts at Elba Central School and shared 47 years of blissful marriage.

Ben and Jo-Ann were among the establishing members of the Genesee Country Farmers Market in 1974. Jo-Ann was elected president of the organization, serving until 1988 and then as Board of Directors Secretary until 2011. She and Ben also attended the North Chili Farmers Market from 1980 until Ben’s passing in 2008.

Customers called Jo-Ann the “Glad Lady” for the special attention she gave the colorful gladiolas they sold. In addition to growing more than 60,000 gladiolas, she and Ben also grew a variety of vegetables. Jo-Ann began giving piano and organ lessons while in high school and taught hundreds of pupils over the years. She not only instructed them but thought of them as extended family members. Every year she sent each of her students birthday cards filled with confetti. Her annual recitals (she celebrated her 50th in 2013) were well-attended by the community.

Jo-Ann served on the Board of Directors of the Genesee County Symphony Orchestra as Librarian for several years. Every year she made sure to bring interested students to the Orchestra's concerts. In 2001 she was recognized at a banquet by the Delta Kappa Gamma Society as a Friend of Education. In 2005 Go Art presented her with the Genesee - Orleans Community Arts Award for “the cultivation of musical talent with care, knowledge and a contagious enthusiasm.” She was inducted into the Elba Central School Hall of Fame in 2022.

She was also very active member of Our Lady of Fatima Church in Elba (subsequently St. Padre Pio Parish) having been a member of the choir, an organist, and a lector. She was treasurer of the Altar Rosary Society for 35 years. Additionally, she was a member of the Elba Grange, Albion Busy Buddies, Twilighters Card Club, Elba Historical Society and Tonawanda Valley Collectors Club. Her favorite pastimes included traveling, gardening, cross-stitching, reading, and playing piano. She was an avid Bills Fan.

Jo-Ann was so proud of her children, Greg (Jacqueline) Olsen, Sally (Lou) Ventura, Elizabeth Black Wolf, and Melissa (Maryann) Olsen, and adored her grandchildren: Ben, Brianna, Rachel, Annmarie, Helen, Grace, Jack, Tony, Ryan, Andrew, Matthew, and great-grandchildren: Harley, Penelope, Theodore, Louis, Henry, and Clare.Jo-Ann was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Anna Gavel, a brother Thomas, and a special person whom she befriended later in life, Frances Kendzior.

Friends are invited to call on Thursday November 20, 2025 from 4:00-7:00PM at Gilmartin Funeral Home 329-333 West Main St. Batavia, NY 14020. An 11:00AM Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday the 21st at Resurrection Parish 303 East Main St. in Batavia. Jo-Ann will be laid to rest in St. Joseph’s Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make memorial contributions to the Genesee Cancer Assistance 127 North St. in Batavia or a charity of donor’s choice. To leave an online message of condolence please visit www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home, 329-333 West Main Street, Batavia, New York 14020.