Jane I. Olszewski

Jane Isabel (Troiani) Olszewski, 83, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2026, at Kaplan Family Hospice House. She was the loving wife of the late Robert F. Olszewski.

Born in Boston on June 17, 1942, Jane was the daughter of the late Fulvio Joseph and Isabel (Smith) Troiani. She was raised and educated in Beverly and graduated from Beverly High School in 1960. During her high school years, she sang in the choir and was an enthusiastic dancer, traveling with her dance school to New York City – experiences that nurtured her lifelong love of music, performance, and adventure. She later attended the Chandler School for Women in Boston.

In 1963, Jane began her professional life with Allegheny Airlines as an “air hostess,” flying out of Washington, D.C., where she met and later married her husband, Robert, who was a pilot. Her early years in aviation sparked a love of travel that remained consistent throughout her life.

Jane and Bob first made their home in New Jersey before moving to Amherst, New Hampshire, in 1972, where they raised their two children, Lisa and Scott. Deeply involved in her community, Jane was an active member of the PTA and participated in many local organizations and her children’s activities. In recognition of her dedication, she was named Speaker of the Year in 1981 and addressed the town’s annual 4th of July celebration on the importance of volunteerism. When she wasn’t giving her time to the community, she enjoyed playing bridge and tennis with friends, entertaining at home, and cooking for family and guests. She was a talented and generous host.

After the tragic loss of her husband while they were living in South Carolina, Jane returned to New England and began a second career in Boston. She managed several Williams-Sonoma and Restoration Hardware stores, where she built lasting friendships with colleagues. Beyond work, she cultivated a wide and wonderfully varied circle of friends. She valued connection and had a gift for bringing people together.

Following her retirement from retail management, Jane became actively involved with the Old North Church, where she served on the vestry, ultimately as Senior Warden. Her commitment to community and service remained a defining thread throughout her life.
Jane continued to travel whenever she could, especially to Australia to visit family – a passion rooted in her early airline days and sustained by her enduring curiosity about the world.

She brought energy and warmth to every stage of her life. In her final year, she found happiness and friendship at Wellspring Village at Brightview Wakefield, where she was a vibrant and engaged member of the community.

She is survived by her daughter, Lisa Jane Olszewski, and son-in-law, Lawrence Molloy, of Melbourne, Australia; her son, R. Scott Olszewski, of Danvers; and her beloved granddaughters, Zoe Jane Molloy and Amelia Ray Olszewski.

A celebration of Jane’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Old North Church in Boston at https://www.oldnorth.com or to WGBH at https://donate.wgbh.org/wgbh/donate. Online condolences are available at www.LyonsFuneral.com