Olive was born on February 19, 1937 in Cranston, RI to the late Donald and Olive (Hart) Brown. She was raised in Rhode Island, worked and raised her family in Queens before settling in Sussex County over 25 years ago. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in English at Illinois College. Prior to her retirement in 2000, she was an editor for McGraw Hill in Manhattan. Beyond the professional realm, Olive was an avid reader, with a deep love of literature spanning genres and eras.
The beloved wife to the late Harold Collen, Olive is survived her children, Eve Collen (David), Victoria Karasin (Blair), Anthony Collen and Catherine Collen; her grandchildren, Sarah, Joe, Nate, Jack and Jonny and her sister, Donna Price.
All services will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made out to Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org/donate. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
