Olga Z. Egan, 99; Greenwich Resident, St. Roch Church Parishioner

From Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home.

Olga Z. Egan of Greenwich passed away peacefully in her sleep at St. Camillus Nursing Home in Stamford, on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014. She was 99.

Born Jan. 23, 1915 in Woonsocket, RI, she was the daughter of the late Madeline and Elias Zachary, and was the eldest of five sisters.

She moved to New York City in 1930 at the age of 15 years, and worked for many years as a clerk at the Oppenheimer-Collins Department Store in New York City and then as an executive assistant at Commercial Union until her retirement in 1970.

She married Howard J. Egan in 1933 and was married for 36 years until his death in 1969. She had two children, June M. (Egan) Albert and Howard J. Egan Jr. She was active in the American Cancer Society for many years after her husband’s death. She lived most of her life on Thayer Street in New York, the city she loved.

She spent her last years in Greenwich, with her son. She loved to travel, cook, read and spend time with her extensive family. She was a parishioner at St. Roch’s, and was an active member of their senior community. She passed on just enough of her knowledge of the Ukranian language to get her children and grandchildren in trouble. She lived independently until shortly before her death and remained strong until the end.

She is survived by her children: June Albert of Tucson, AZ and Howard J. Egan Jr., of Greenwich; her sister Estelle Wheeler of Grafton, MA; her niece Karen Thornton of Ellenville, NY; her nephew Charles Kaberry of Hopedale, MA and her nephew Michael Nowak of Hyde Park, MA. She is also survived by six grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her three sisters, Jacqueline Vario, Ann Mackewicz and Mary Gruczka; her son-in-law, John Albert; her nephew Richard Mackewicz and her niece Judith Cafarella.

Olga was very much a woman of her generation: strong, capable, and certain. She lived life on her terms. She will be remembered for her pointed advice, her truly excellent cooking and her unwavering and fiery spirit. Her family had hoped that she would live to see her 100th birthday in 3 months, but are nonetheless grateful for her long life, her peaceful end and the many, many stories she leaves behind.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home, 31 Arch St., Greenwich. A funeral mass is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society . To leave an online condolence, please visit www.leopgallaghergreenwich.com