Olga M. Neuhaus

Olga Neuhaus, our mother, grandmother and great grandmother was, and will be forever our guardian angel. She died peacefully on July 11 with love and grace. She made this world a better place for her family and friends, and as a leader in community service for many decades. Mom, we love you and know you will always be with us. Olga Mae Neuhaus was born May 1, 1926, in Queens, New York to Frederick and Olga Nunns. She was an only child. She and Edmund C. Neuhaus II were married in 1949 until his death in 2016. She is survived by her daughter Suzanne L. Anderson of Locust Valley, NY, and son, Edmund C. Neuhaus III, and his wife Elizabeth Torres of San Diego, CA. Her grandchildren from Suzanne's side are Erik and his wife Erin (and their children Peter and John Ryan, Olga's great-grandchildren), and Alex and his fiancee Kathryn Kelly. On Ed's side are his and Liz's children, and Olga's grandchildren, Jack, Lily, and Ruby. At 16, Olga graduated high school and went on to attend Queens College which is part of the City of New York (CUNY) system. Not a typical path for a young woman in 1943. She graduated in 1947 with a B.A in Psychology. There she met Edmund C. Neuhaus ("Doc" to many) in 1944, also a Queens College alum. They dated, he was drafted into the army and went to Germany in 1945 post-WW II. They later married on September 17, 1949, spending their honeymoon in Vermont where they later built a vacation home in 1967 that is still enjoyed by our family. In 1953, Ed and Olga moved from Astoria, Queens/NYC to North Bellmore into a new- construction house in the burgeoning Long Island Suburbs (where she lived for 67 years until two weeks before her death). There, her husband, Dr. Edmund C. Neuhaus (1927-2016) began his illustrious career as one of the first clinical psychologists on Long Island, and Olga and he raised their children, Suzanne L. and Edmund (aka Eddie), and continued to live there for their entire lives. And we can't forget her cooking and baking. Always on it, making the special dish or dessert for those particular family members coming over the house for an always special meal, or for a birthday or holiday. In early March of this year, at age 93, she made her last family dinner for eight. That was who she was. Live to the fullest and make her family happy! Grandma was extra, extra special to her grandchildren. She had a unique relationship with each of them: Erik, Alex, Jack, Lily, and Ruby, and her great-grandchildren, Peter and John Ryan, appreciating each of them for who they are with their unique personalities and interests, with unconditional love. Olga was a homemaker extraordinaire, raising her family and being a mother to all who came to the house. Everyone has an Olga story. While she did not technically have a "paid job," she was always working to make the lives of others better, whether her family, friends, neighbors, or her extended community. Olga was a great friend. If she was your friend, your life was richer for it. One of her best friends is her neighbor, Evey Kannatt, who moved in next door in 1953. Right to Olga's final day, they spoke every day, sharing their love and trying to figure out how to make the world a better place. Among her closest friends were a group of her sorority sisters with whom she remained close for 60-70 years, as well as many other friends who always felt deeply for Olga. Until a few years ago she hosted and supervised a bowling club for disabled adults, every Tuesday for 35 years. In the late 1970's she earned recognition and served as President of the Queens College Alumni Association. She was Ed's office manager and accountant for his private practice for 60 years. And until her death, she oversaw and managed the vacation house rentals for the family house in Chittenden, Vermont. Always busy with some project, and usually helping the cause for her family, friends, and her community. Sharp to the end, she lived with purpose and love. We are all better people because of her. So much more to say. Please say it in your memorial comments to add to the celebration of her life, and add a photo if you wish. Donations can be made in honor of Olga Neuhaus to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) for mental health research. She was a life-long mental health community leader and advocate along with her husband Dr. Edmund C. Neuhaus (1927-2016) who was a pioneer and leader in the mental health community. Information about donations to NIMH: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/connect-with-nimh/donate-to-mental-health-research.shtml Or, send a check with a letter to: National Institute of Mental Health Gift Fund 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 6229A, MSC 9655 Bethesda, MD 20892-9655