Mary Kathleen Olvey

Kathleen was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. At age 16, she left home for London to attend Queen’s College. It was there in London that she met her future husband and the love of her life at a New Year’s Eve Party. It was a mutual case of love at first sight.

In 1959, in Rio de Janeiro, Kathleen married Lee Donne Olvey and moved with him to the United States to begin a family which quickly turned into five children. Much of her adult life was spent at the United States Military Academy at West Point where she raised her children and supported the many social events of the Department of Social Sciences. She endured tragedy with the loss of a daughter (Vera) and a son (John), but she was always an amazing anchor of support to her family throughout. Her incredible love and devotion to her husband, children, and grandchildren during troubling times was a testament to her strength of character.

Kathleen truly was a “girl from Ipanema,” in every sense. She was a woman of exceptional beauty both without and most importantly, within. Friends and acquaintances alike were taken inevitably by her beautiful green eyes, elegance and genuine kindness. She always took an interest in those around her and had a very special ability to make them feel instantly warm and welcomed. Her humor and wit and sense of fun brought constant joy and laughter to those around her.

Kathleen was predeceased by her brother, Patrick Vance, daughter, Vera Costello, and by her son John Olvey. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, B.G. (ret) Lee Donne Olvey of Tampa, FL, daughter Elisa Smalley and her husband Robert Smalley of Chappaqua, NY, son Patrick Olvey and his wife Lisa Olvey of Columbus, OH and son Anthony Olvey and wife Jacquelene Olvey also of Tampa. She also leaves behind two sisters, Mary Jacqueline Vance Smith of Rio de Janeiro and Cynthia Vance Myers of Fort Myers, Florida and 11 loving grandchildren and 4 great grandsons whose lives will be forever enriched by her love, wisdom and generosity. She will be deeply missed.

Funeral services will be held at West Point, New York on March 14, 2024 at 1:30 PM