Madelyn Burdick Olson

Madelyn Burdick Olson, 67, passed away before dawn on Friday February 4, 2022. As she slept peacefully at home, her loving, devoted husband of 25 years, Eric Ellis Olson, was at her side. Born in Birmingham and raised in the Chesnutt Hill neighborhood of South Side, she brought a vivacious, loving, caring and creative spirit to each new day. She matriculated at Brook Hill School graduating in 1972. Next she earned a dual Bachelor’s Degree in Speech / Dramatic Arts and English in 1976 at Samford University. In 2004 she returned to that institution to gather another diploma in Human Resource Management. Her educative spirit had already flowered earlier in her life when she conceived, organized and ran her own summer day camp. While just a teenager, 1963 thru 1968, the back yard of her family home on Lakeview Crescent hosted “Camp Happy Time”. Weekdays from 9:00 to 2:00, dozens of neighborhood children practiced flag raising, hiking and swimming there. She continued educating others in the late 1970s, teaching ballet to youngsters at an English Village studio and Theatre to eighth graders at St. Rose of Lima Catholic School. Madelyn’s work life shifted to the world of fine food in the 1980s. She excitedly functioned in many roles during her 30-year career with International Wines of Birmingham. Under the leadership of the Yeates brothers, Rutherford and Charles, Madelyn was Comptroller, Purchasing Director, sometimes fork lift operator, and “Girl Friday”. Annually, she spearheaded the logistics and organization of her company’s participation in the Multiple Sclerosis Wine Auction. This volunteer spirit brought her to assist with other ventures including the Boar’s Head Feast at her church, St. Mary’s on the Highlands. As well, she gave her time to slake her love of The Arts, volunteering at Birmingham Festival Theatre. There she helped with many productions, selling tickets, sweeping floors and most importantly, Stage Managing plays. This love of Culture took her traveling to London, New York, France, and Napa Valley California, enjoying food, wines, museums and the best of the performing arts. Madelyn is preceded in death by her grandmother Madeline Schimpf Patterson, her grandfather Thomas Chamblin Patterson, her mother Madelyn Patterson Burdick and her father, Edward Hamilton Burdick Sr. She is survived by her devoted, younger brother whom she loved dearly, Edward Hamilton Burdick Jr., his wife Kirsten Nelson Burdick, loving, caring husband Eric Ellis Olson, his son John Seth Olson, wife Kim Meuth Olson, their son John Theodore Olson, Eric’s daughter Elin Keith Olson Glenn, husband David Jackson Glenn, their children Emmeline Violet Glenn, George William Glenn, and Arthur Jackson Glenn. The Burial Service will be held at St. Mary’s on the Highlands; on Wednesday February 16, 2022 at 1:00 pm. Visitation will be from 12:00 – 1:00 pm. Madelyn will be laid to rest in a private internment in the Columbarium at St. Mary’s after the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a financial gift to The Alzheimer’s Association – Alabama Chapter. Gifts are tax deductible, tax I.D. # 13-3039601.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsvalleychapel.com for the Olson family.