She was born in Troy, NY on November 24, 1915, the daughter of Harold E. and Mary E. (Barth) Donahue. She grew up in Troy and Cohoes and was a 1935 graduate of Cohoes High School.
Mrs. Olmstead had worked as a teachers clerical assistant for the Averill Park School District in New York and also as a doctor’s assistant.
In 1991, she moved to Cape Cod with her husband John and then to Keene in 2002.
Early in her life, Mrs. Olmstead enjoyed horseback riding. She was active in the community and also enjoyed sewing, cooking and was a meticulous house keeper.
She was a long time member of the United Methodist Church in West Sand Lake, NY.
Mrs. Olmstead is survived by her daughters Barbara Tourgee of Spofford and Judith Alves of Cape Cod, MA; six grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. Her husbands Howard E. Lerch died in 1954 and John R. Olmstead died in 1995.
Fletcher Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 33 Marlboro St., Keene, NH is in charge of the arrangements.
