Olga Irvin Vargas

OLGA IRVIN VARGAS Olga was born November 9, 1922 in Hurstville (Sydney), NSW, Australia. She served 2 years in the Royal Australian Air Force in Melbourne. According to a story in the Daily Telegraph, she was regarded as one of the best hairdressers in Sydney. Olga met her future husband, Capt. Roger E. Vargas, at a Christmas party in December 1942 in Sydney during the Pacific campaign of World War II. They were married September 30, 1944 at St. Mary's Cathedral in Ipswich (Brisbane), QLD, Australia. Olga immigrated to the United States, arrived in San Francisco aboard the U.S. Army Bride Ship Monterey on March 3, 1946 and became a U.S. citizen on February 16, 1953 in Puerto Rico. As the wife of an Air Force officer she moved nine times, living in California, New York, Louisiana, Puerto Rico, Nebraska, Ohio, and finally settling down in Riverside, where she became a longtime resident of 54 years and raised four children, Roger, Terry, Brian, and Gina. Olga died peacefully in her sleep at the age of 89 years on September 16,2012 in Riverside, CA. She is reunited with her dearly beloved daughter Gina who preceded her in death and who she missed dearly. Olga is survived by her husband of 68 years, Lt. Col. Roger E. Vargas; sons, Roger (Kamuela, HI), Terry (San Diego, CA) and Brian (Korea); six grandchildren, Vanessa, Tara, Terry Christopher, Noelani, Kela and Yoideth; three daughters-in-law, Kathlyn, Michele, and Elvira; and seven nieces, Susan, Kathryn, Elizabeth, Robyn, Margaret, Janet and Kerri. She was a sweet and kind mother and dedicated wife. She enjoyed sewing, knitting and her daughter's cat Murphy, immensely. She returned eight times to her beloved Australia to refresh her Aussie accent. Olga was loved by all who knew her and will be remembered fondly, but dearly missed for her sense of humor and defiant attitude. Father Reno Aiardi of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church will preside at graveside services on Thursday, September 20, 2012 at 9:30 am at the Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, CA, Staging Area 3. The Officers' Wives Club will host light refreshments at the Vargas residence, 5562 Malvern Way, Riverside after the ceremony. Services are entrusted to Acheson & Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary (951) 688-1221 Condolences may be made online at www.achesonandgraham.com