Golda Hatch Olsen

Golda was born on November 6, 1936 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She attended East High and graduated from the University of Utah where she majored in Art and was a member of the women’s ski team and Phi Beta Phi sorority. It was at the University of Utah where she met the love of her life and fellow art major, Gordon Olsen. They married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple in August 1960.

Golda had a strong passion for adventure, travel and exploration. She and Gordon lived in Beirut, Lebanon for 6 years where he was the chair of the art department at the American University of Beirut, and she taught elementary art at the American Community School. While there, they enjoyed traveling with their young family throughout the Middle East and Europe, learning about various cultures, history, and art.

After returning from the Middle East, Golda and Gordon designed and built their dream home in Heber City, Utah. They enjoyed many years of entertaining family, hosting parties, and spiritual retreats in this beautiful mountain sanctuary. Even while working in Salt Lake City, they looked forward to spending their weekends and summers in the cooler mountain air. Their home and their gracious hospitality truly blessed the lives of everyone they knew.

Golda spent many years teaching special education at Hunter and Evergreen Jr. High Schools in the Salt Lake School District. Her patience and acceptance of others truly helped her students learn to work through phobias and other behavioral disorders. Golda developed an appreciation and love for her students that was unique and admired by all her colleagues.

Golda was a deeply spiritual person. The Center for Spiritual Living has been an important part of her life for many years. She loved attending church services there, and developed wonderful friendships with those she served and studied with. She had a great appreciation and love for spirituality everywhere.

Because of her love for people and beauty, Golda enjoyed traveling with Gordon on many trips after they retired from teaching. They created wonderful memories with friends and family exploring China, Spain, Italy, Mexico, Costa Rica and Hawaii. She loved visiting great museums, grand vistas, and historical wonders all over the world. She also enjoyed volunteering as a docent at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts in Salt Lake City, where she shared her expertise and passion with all who visited.

One of Golda’s greatest joys was raising her 4 boys and spending time with family. She is survived by her husband Gordon of 65 years, her brother Joseph Hatch, her sister Donnette Atiyah, her children Gordon (Joyce), Randon (Shellie), David (Grace), Jason (Ashley), 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service for Golda will take place on April 14, at 11:00 am at the Wasatch Lawn Memorial Chapel. Prior to the service there will be a visitation period from 9:45 am - 10:45 am where family and friends are welcome to come and pay their respects. We appreciate all of the support and love from family and friends over many years but especially during these last weeks. Golda was beloved by all, and her generous, caring spirit will live on in the lives of everyone blessed to have known her.