Virginia Marie Olszewski

Virginia Marie Olszewski, 97, of Buffalo, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, May 28, 2026, surrounded by her loving children and grandchildren.

She was born on August 5, 1928 in Buffalo to Dr. Anthony A. and Celia (Pitass) Zielinski. She grew up in Rome, NY and graduated from the Academy of Holy Names. After high school she attended St. Francis college in Brooklyn, where she recalled watching the massive troopships sail up the Hudson River to bring American soldiers home at the end of World War II. Later, as a fierce advocate for the developmentally disabled, Virginia completed a bachelor’s degree in special education at Buffalo State College.

Virginia married the late Dr Walter A Olszewski in 1952 in Rome. After they married, the couple moved to Buffalo, then Boston, MA, and finally back to Buffalo where they settled and raised their children. They spent 42 loving years together until Walter’s death in 1995.

Virginia is survived by her three children Christopher (Chesla Wechsler) of New Jersey, Lisa (John) Elliott of Chicago, and Paul of Buffalo. She leaves behind a beloved younger brother James (Kathie) Zielinski of Rome. She is also survived by her four grandchildren Jackson Elliott, Thomas Elliott, Celia Elliott, and Camille (Jason) Montgomery. She is predeceased by her husband, Walter Olszewski, and her brothers, Anthony (“Bud”) and Robert (“Bob”) Zielinski.

Virginia devoted her energy to running a busy household, raising her children, and seeking improvements in opportunities for special needs individuals. She was always gracious, welcoming friends, relatives and her children's friends with a kind word and a gentle, ever present sense of humor. Her home became a magnet for neighborhood kids to participate in annual taffy pulls, backyard ice skating in winter and swings, gymnastic rings and climbing domes in summer. She was an avid gardener, exceptional seamstress, and knitter of intricately designed sweaters, as well as a talented interior decorator doing all her own wall papering and painting. Virginia was renowned for her cookies and fresh bread at Christmas, delivered warm to many neighbors - a tradition carried on largely by her son today. Virginia was a supporter of local businesses and art and cultural organizations, a lifetime member of the Albright Knox Art Gallery, and a season ticket holder to Shea's Performing Arts Buffalo.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 between 11 AM and noon at the Perna, Dengler, Roberts Funeral Home at 1671 Maple Rd in Williamsville, NY. A short memorial service will be held immediately afterwards at noon in the same location. She will be interred at the St Mary’s Cemetery in Rome, NY later in the summer.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the general fund of Heritage Christian Services of Rochester, NY (https://heritagechristianservices.org/donate/).