Cristina D. L. Olsen

Falmouth-Cristina Olsen, 59 of 138 Mast Rd. passed away quietly at her home on May 26, 2011 after living a full life and having imparted a pure love to her many family and friends. She was born in Portland, September 25, 1951 a daughter of Andrea and Anne Lombardi DeForte and was educated in Portland schools.

Cristina was employed by the University of Southern Maine for over twenty years.

In her earlier years she worked at Goodwill and in various business offices. She loved life and loved people. Cristina made a friend of everyone she met and everyone loved her. Her favorite activities included traveling, racquetball, cooking, decorating, dining out, drafts, dancing and shopping.

Cristina was a wonderful cook and loved to entertain. In the last five years Cristina and her husband made their yearly trip to Branson, MO.

Cris and Olie enjoyed the company of friends at festivities and events held at the Italian Heritage Center for many years. She had attended the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

Always a caring and courageous woman, Cristina was the matriarch of the DeForte family. A loving daughter, sister, aunt and niece Cristina was devoted to her soul mate, caregiver and best friend, husband Olie.

Being a truly loyal friend, Cristina never forgot birthdays, anniversaries or important dates. She was the picture of strength and courage throughout her battle with illness and despite a tough prognosis continued her tireless work with the charities she supported and the family and friends she cared so deeply about. A truly extraordinary person, Cristina will be deeply missed by her many friends including Barbara Floridino, Pat Peters, Sonny Dobson and her “Adopted Mom”, Angie Magno.

A special thanks to Dr. L. Golden, Pauline H. Pamela S. and Diane F.

She would always say or think “I’d rather be dancing.”

Her smile would always light up a room and make you smile back.

She is survived by her devoted and beloved husband of 38 years, Ervin “Olie” Olsen. She is also survived by a brother, Amando DeForte of Portland and her Aunt Ellen and Uncle Phil Lombardi of Portland and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends from communities in and outside of Maine.

Cristina was optimistic about the wonderful possibilities that life could present and realistic about the challenges. Whenever someone made a mountain out of a molehill Cristina said that overcoming it was a “piece of cake” and she should know, she was a fighter of all obstacles and always said that despite all she had to endure she was the luckiest woman ever with Olie as her partner.

Relatives and friends may call at the Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland Thursday, June 2nd from 4-7 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, June 3rd at 10 a.m. at The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress St., Portland. Burial will follow at New Calvary Cemetery, So. Portland.

If desired contributions may be made to VNA Hospice, 50 Foden Rd., So. Portland, ME 04106

Please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com for additional information and to sign Cristina’s guestbook.