Bess A Olson

Bess Antonia Olson (Loop) of Port Orchard was born in Shelton on January 31, 1942. Bess peacefully passed away in her sleep on Monday evening, August 12, 2024, at the age of 82. She is survived by her beloved husband of over 63 years, Norman Lawrence Olson; their children, Norman Lee Olson (Tiffany); Edie Baglio and Monica Barry; and cherished grandchildren, Celeste Vancleef (James), Sydney Ferreday (Richard), Issac Olson, Brennan Baglio, Cassondra Baglio, Jessica Baglio, Mikayla Schaefer, Adrienne Barry, and Ethan Barry; also, great grandchildren; Mackenzie, Silas, and Daisy Vancleef and Nolan Schaefer. Bess was the youngest of six children and cherished by five older brothers. Her brother, Hershal Vivenzo Loop “Enzo” is the last remaining sibling still living.

Bess spent the first years of her education at Hoodsport Elementary. Her family moved to Brownsville then to Shelton for her middle school years. She graduated from Central High School. Not long after high school Bess met the Love of her Life, Norman Olson, at a forest festival dance in Shelton. After the dance, Norm told his brother that he had met the girl he was going to marry! They were soon married on February 4, 1960.

Bess was an entrepreneur and definitely a hard worker. She attended cosmetology school and went on to own two separate beauty salons over the years. She owned retail stores selling collectables and worked as an accountant for Norm’s business. Bess was passionate about serving her community and was a proud member of Port Orchard Soroptimist. She always was willing to help with organizing community events including serving on the Rotary Club decorating committee for many years.

Bess was an Artist with unbounded creativity. Her work ranged from beautiful paintings, using all types of media, to decorating objects such as shells, rocks, glass, cards, etc., and often made through the art of decoupage. She designed a large art studio and then outfitted it with every tool needed. It was sized to fit many students. She owned a kiln to fire ceramics and an incubator for carving intricate Fabergé eggs. She amassed a huge collection of beads, gems, crystals, jewels for jewelry creation. However, one of her fondest forms of artwork was scrapbooking as family would be together to share their time.

Bess loved the outdoors with a passion for the beach. She would spend hours beachcombing for treasures, shells, rocks and agates and items for the art studio. During retirement, Bess and Norm spent many summers living on the beach on Strait of Juan de Fuca with friends as neighbors. Norm would spend the days fishing while Bess spent the days with friends and family walking the beach, painting rocks, playing games, sitting by the fire, loving her life. Everyone was always welcome.

Bess was predeceased in death, by both parents, Herbert Enzo Loop and Edna Mae “Young” Loop, and her four dear brothers, Herbert Eugene Loop, Dale Christopher Loop, David Clayton Loop, and Wendell Keyes Loop.

Her service will be held at Rill Chapel, at 1151 Mitchell Ave, Port Orchard WA 98366 on September 14, 2024, at 11:00 am. There will be a reception immediately following at the same location. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to Soroptimist of Port Orchard, an organization Bess was passionately involved in for many years. Please use this link www.siportorchard.com and click on the tab on the front page -Bess Olson. All funds will be directly deposited to Soroptimist.