Autryville, NC – Elizabeth Davis Olsen, 88, formerly of Lyme, NH died December 16, 2015 at Rex Healthcare in Raleigh, NC.

She was born September 12, 1927 in Manchester, NH a daughter of Harold T. and Lucille (Colburn) Davis. Elizabeth grew up in Pembroke, NH, Norwich, VT, and Strafford, VT. She graduated from Thetford Academy and attended Castleton College. She married Edward in Strafford in 1947. Betty worked as the Assistant Purchasing Agent at the Vermont Copper Company and together with her husband operated farms in Lyme and later in East Thetford, both of which succumbed to fire. After farming they began operating Eastman's Hideaway Restaurant in Hanover and then the Ten-0 Snack Bar in Lyme until Mr. Olsen's death in 1975. After the snack bar burned, Elizabeth became Postmaster at the Thetford Hill Post Office, retiring after 20 years of service in 1995. After retiring she moved to North Carolina where she has lived since.

Mrs. Olsen was a great supporter of the 4-H Clubs, all areas of scouting and PTA when the children were growing up. She and her husband organized the first Little League and Babe Ruth teams in Lyme. Betty remained active at Thetford Academy, the oldest operating private school in Vermont, including serving many years as a trustee and as President of the Alumni Association. She was also a past member of the League of Postmasters and NAPUS, serving in all the state official positions in the League, including serving as president for several years, and also serving on many national committees. Her love for gardening stayed with her all her life.

She was predeceased by her husband, Edward Olsen; her children Tommy Olsen, Douglas Olsen and Patricia Holden and two sisters, Priscilla Emerson and Lucy Miller

Elizabeth is survived by three daughters Diana Olsen Samuels of Orford, NH, Carolyn "Susie" Pearl of Enfield, NH and Kim Davis Bartlett of Sonoma, CA; three sons Joel Olsen of Crested Butte, CO, Peter Olsen of Gunnison, CO and Timothy Olsen of Lyme, NH; 15 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren; a brothers George Davis of Washington state and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at the United Church of Thetford in North Thetford, with the Rev. Gail Dimick officiating on Monday December 21st at 11AM. Burial will follow in the Pine Knoll Cemetery in Hanover, NH.

In Lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Thetford Academy Alumni Association, c/o the Betty Olsen Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 99, Thetford, VT 05074.