Barbara S. Olson

Barbara Esther (Sweet) Olson of East Greenwich passed away peacefully Sunday, January 5, 2025, at Hope Health Hulitar Hospice Center, Providence, RI. She was born April 2, 1931, to Walter Yaw Sweet and Esther Holland Sweet.

Barbara grew up in East Greenwich and graduated from E.G. High School, Class of 1949. In 1951, she wed John Loomis Olson, and they shared 59 years of marriage, residing in East Greenwich their whole lives.

Barbara was raised in a family that loved music, so it was only natural that she began singing at a young age; in fact, she memorized the hymns so that she could sing with the rest of the congregation. When her family realized that she had a gift, an anonymous family member financed her voice lessons.

In high school, Barbara sang in the glee club and also many theater productions, but her focus was in business and clerical studies. After graduating from high school, she secured clerical positions working for local East Greenwich businesses and very easily worked her way to office manager status. She used to type 90 words a minute on the old-fashioned typewriters, and this came in handy when her children needed a book report typed the night before it was due. A work experience that was close to her heart was serving as an aide in the Title One program at Eldredge School. She enjoyed being an aide to the teachers, but mostly she enjoyed helping students develop their vocabulary and reading skills.

In her youth, Barbara was invited to sing on live radio broadcasts out of Providence. In her late teens she was given the position of assistant choir director of the First Baptist Church Junior Choir.

As her voice developed, Barbara was invited to sing at many churches in Rhode Island, as well as out-of-state churches. Her singing contracts and engagements were often accompanied by her aunt, organist Hattie Sweet Bowser. Other singing engagements included town events, weddings, funerals, cantatas and operettas.

Barbara was offered a career with an opera company, but she declined because she wanted to raise children and enjoy a family life, which also included her church family.

Barbara believed that music opened up one's heart to the Lord, so it was only natural that singing became her ministry. She was strong in her faith and knew that when she sang, she was sharing God's word for all to hear.

Later in her music career, Barbara enjoyed ringing hand bells at her church and other venues throughout New England.Barbara was not only an active member of her church, but she was also a life member of the East Greenwich Fire Department Women's Auxiliary. She held different positions within the organization including president. The Women's Auxiliary organized events to collect funds that would go toward the building of the Firemen's Hall. They would also provide drinks and food for the firefighters during working fires.

Barbara enjoyed telling stories of her childhood and about the little town that she grew up in and loved so well.

Barbara is a descendant of one of the signers when the town of East Greenwich was incorporated in 1677. Her father was an East Greenwich police officer. Her great uncle was the first Fire Chief for East Greenwich. Her grandfather worked for the East Greenwich DPW and owned the Sweet Ice business, with whom she occasionally helped deliver ice on his horse-drawn wagon. Her great grandfather served in the Civil War as a volunteer. She is a descendant of a Revolutionary War Veteran, a descendant of the Mayflower, a descendant of the "Bone Setter Sweets", a descendant of Roger Williams, a descendant of the Tudors of England, a descendant of the Franklin family, was the wife of a Korean War Veteran, and she is also descended from the Washington County Canonicus Indians.

Barbara was predeceased by her husband John, and is survived by her three children: John David Olson, Suzan Jean Bonneau (husband William Bonneau), and Carolyn Sweet Olson. Also, she leaves behind 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren who lovingly call her "Gug" or "Guggy."

Funeral service Friday, January 17, 2025, at 11:00 am at the First Baptist Church of East Greenwich, 35 Peirce St., East Greenwich. Burial will be in East Greenwich Cemetery. Calling hours: Thursday January 16, 2025, will be held from 4-7 pm in the Hill – Skeffington Funeral Home, 822 Main St., East Greenwich. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations in Barbara's memory to: a children's charity of your choice, Hope Health Hulitar Hospice Center, or the First Baptist Church of East Greenwich's Endowment Fund.