Olga Boeckel, Middletown's First Female Mayor, Dies at 91

Middletown's first woman mayor died Thursday, Sept 13, 2012 at age 91. She was originally from Queens, New York. She graduated from Jamaica High School, Queens, NY in 1930.

Olga worked in Manhattan for three years before being hired by Pan Am in 1943. Pan Am gave her the incentive to be outgoing and to speak with people intelligently on any given subject.

She came to Middletown after meeting and marrying her husband Ray, a custom builder of homes. They owned and operated Sleepy Hollow Horse Farm in Middletown for 43 years.

She remained in the travel field, she was employed in the transportation office at Fort Monmouth for five years and was then appointed head of the tourism center in Hazlet Township, the gateway to the Bayshore and Sandy Hook.

Olga was a library volunteer in Fairview School.

She was hired as a secretary for the Red Bank Register. She went to Columbia University, New York City to learn how to run a newspaper's library. She was the former "Register's" librarian for 15 years before retiring in 1983.

In 1984 she was elected to the Township Committee, and after serving one year, was chosen to be mayor by her fellow committee members.

St. Gerard Guilds of America named her "Women of The Year" at its 102nd Anniversary Dinner.

She was quoted as saying " The best man for the job is often a woman.

Olga was a member of the Middletown area Chamber of Commerce.

She was a volunteer for Fairview First Aid Ladies Auxiliary, Deborah Hospital, Middletown Historical Society and People to People International.

She was awarded the Golden Beacon award from the Chamber of Commerce.

Not only was Olga dedicated to serving her community, her pride and joy was beautiful Sleepy Hollow Horse Farm, and her loving family.

She was always known for grabbing the camera and taking pictures at the worst possible times.

Olga was predeceased by her husband, Raymond Boeckel, her parents John and Mary Koman, her daughter in law Isabella Wagner.

She is survived by her sister Kay Russo of Arkansas.

Her three sons, John Wagner of Toms River, Raymond Boeckel and his wife Barbara of Brick, and Chris Boeckel and his wife Ana of Matawan.

Her four grandchildren are Laura Ciufia and her husband Andrew of Oibe Beach, Brian Boeckel of Brick, Tim Boeckel of Brick, Cristina Boeckel of Matawan, and her great granddaughter Jennifer Ciufia of Pine Beach.

Visitation will be Wednesday 2-4 & 7-9pm at The Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St., Red Bank.

A Mass of Christian Burial Thursday will be held at 10am at St. James Church, Broad St Red Bank.

Donations may be made to the Fairview First Aid Squad or Middletown Fire Co #1