Aurora C. Olson Sherwin

Aurora C. Olson Sherwin, of Rostraver Twp. died on June 25, 2005. She was born the sixth of ten children to Arthur and Clotilde Joris Rousseaux on November 2, 1907 (the day the Charleroi-Monessen bridge was opened). In 1936 she married C. Ted Olson, who died in 1968. Ora graduated from Monessen High School in 1926. She had begun her teacher training while in her junior year of high school and completed her studies at California Normal School (now California University of PA) in 1927. She taught for 27 years in various schools in Belle Vernon and Rostraver Twp. She is remembered fondly by her students and their families for her gentle and encouraging style of teaching. Ora organized the first PTA in Rostraver Twp. schools and was elected President for eight consecutive years. She was later honored for her service by the PA Congress of Parents and Teachers. She was a member of the Retired Teachers Association of Belle Vernon Area Schools. Ora was also instrumental in the development of the Head Start program in the BVA School District. She was an ardent believer in the importance of reading to children and published her own book, Mr. Happy, the School Bus, in 2002. Ora was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter 205, Monessen. She worked with her second husband, Claude Sherwin, on many activities at the Masonic Temple in Monessen. Ora was a member of the Pricedale Union Church for 60 years. She sang in the choir until she was 80. Her love of music is reflected in her lifelong support of the musical talents of her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Ora was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, all sisters and brothers, and an infant son, Carl Eugene in 1940. She is survived by her daughter Diane (Dr. David) Sommerville, of Cooperstown, NY, her son Richard (Linda) Olson, of Phoenix, AZ, and her son David (Kay) Olson, of Belle Vernon, with whom she made her home in recent years. She is also survived by grandson Alan Olson (Belle Vernon), granddaughter Sarah Olson (Phoenix), Dr. Brian Sommerville (St. Louis), grandson David (Maria) Sommerville (Rochester

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Aurora C. Olson Sherwin

June 25, 2005