Chelsea N.  Olsen

Chelsea Nicole Olsen, age 24, of Buffalo, formerly of Trumansburg, passed away on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.

Born in Ithaca on September 17, 1987, Chelsea was the daughter of Janet (Wright) Olsen and Harold Olsen. Chelsea graduated from Trumansburg High school in 2005 where she participated in the Medical Technology program and began her devoted career in the medical field. Chelsea started her college career at Elmira for a year where she played softball and Cheerleading before going abroad to teach English. Upon returning she attended SUNY Buffalo, graduating in 2011 with a degree in nursing. Chelsea began her nursing career at Millard Fillmore Gates Circle Hospital in the cardiac ICU and in the rehabilitation center at Buffalo General Hospital.

During her 24 years, Chelsea embraced all facets of life. She loved using her cell phone camera to capture and share all the things in life that brought her joy. Chelsea had the most established collection of flip flops, and felt they were an essential aspect of every outfit. She lived by the rules of her own heart and spirit. Chelsea had a vivaciousness that was contagious.

Chelsea’s family was her heart and soul. She cherished her sisters and loved them without regret. Through good times and bad, Chelsea was the bridge and peacemaker of the family. She will hold a warm place in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

She is survived by her mothers, Janet Olsen and Courtney McGuire of Trumansburg; her father, Hal (Audry) Olsen of Trumansburg; two sisters, Melissa Olsen of Naples, FL and Sarah Olsen of NYC; step-sisters, Nyera Smith of Elmira, Sarah Smith and Katelyn Simmons, both of Trumansburg; paternal grandparents, Paul Olsen and Marian Stavitsky (Olsen) of Lakewood, NJ; best friend, Ashley “Wifey” Golden; step-grandmother, Nancy McGuire of Herkimer; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Agnes and Herbert Wright; grandmother, Nancy Plunket (Olsen); and step-grandfather, John McGuire.

A Celebration of Chelsea’s Life will be held on Saturday, March 24th, 2012 at the Clarion Hotel, 1 Sheraton Drive, Ithaca from 4:00 to 7:00pm. The family encourages friends and family to bring a photo or memento of Chelsea to share.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks those who wish to make a contribution in Chelsea ’s name to kindly consider Doctors Without Borders, 333 7th Ave. , 2nd Floor, New York, New York, 10001. Chelsea had planned to be become a nurse with the Doctors Without Borders Program to share her compassion with the world.