CATHERINE OLSON'S SNAPSHOTS

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY     2011

When, lifelong San Fernando Valley resident Catherine Olson died earlier this year, her daughter Mary made sure that The Museum received some of her interesting photographs and 1984 Olympic Games memorabilia. Here are three snapshots from one of Catherine's albums. They give us a glimpse of what recreation was like in the 1930s.

 This photograph (number 3624) is marked "Hollywood Ball Field"  One of the billboards reads KMPC. I think it is Gilmore Field. What is your opinion? (click on image to enlarge)

 Someday, The Museum may have the special equipment enabling us to identify locations from background hills and other geographical evidence.  I'm sure that the flowers these folks are hiding in are California lupin.  Refer to photograph

"Aunt Catherine"  1940  -  Museum image number 3623 -  Gift of Mary Olson Friedman 2011.

OUR LADY OF GRACE - ENCINO DEDICATION CEREMONY 1947

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011

The first Mass celebrated by Our Lady of Grace parish in Encino was held in the packing room of Canoga Farms on Ventura Boulevard. It was conducted by a discalced Carmelite priest Father Patrick Collins.  This ceremony dedicating the American flag was probably held in September of 1947 with the opening of the Carmelite Catholic school there.

Just across Ventura Boulevard from the Encino Development Company, dedication ceremony of Our Lady of Grace Catholic parish at the south western corner of White Oak Avenue and Ventura Boulevard c. 1947.  Bequest to The Museum from the estate of Catherine Olson, who was a parishioner there.  (click on image to enlarge)

A SMALL TRIBUTE TO THE LIVES OF CATHERINE ANN AND LUVERNE OLSON

Sixty one years ago Catherine Olson and her husband LuVerne moved to Tarzana, California. She and her husband were remarkable people, not because they won important prizes or amassed an impressive fortune. Catherine’s and LuVerne’s real importance came from the steady and positive influences they made on the lives of those of us who shared their San Fernando Valley.

Catherine Olson died in Tarzana just as the year 2010 was coming to an end. Her final days came not far from the Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies, where she worked for many years. Over the years, Catherine attended to the needs of her three children, and made time to volunteer for their school’s PTA and many other activities. Catherine donated her time for the Encino-Tarzana Library, the American Red Cross and the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults. She especially cared about the Special Olympics and was a volunteer for the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

LuVerne and Catherine were original parishioners for Our Lady of Grace Roman Catholic Church in Encino. It was in this church that many of us first learned about LuVerne’s relentless efforts to glean fields and to help feed the poor and homeless in our city. Catherine and LuVerne Olson’s lives enriched us all. The January meeting of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley will be dedicated to their generous spirits and memory. 

 Medallion gift to Catherine Olson for her volunteer services to the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2010 from her daughter Mary Olson-Friedman in Catherine's memory.