The irrepressible Marian Olsson has been a twinkling star in our neighborhood since 1952.  A native San Franciscan and a SHARP member for longer than many of us have been alive, she’s still going strong.  We salute her on her 104th birthday, January 22, 2015.

One thing about Marian. She’s not shy. She came to a SHARP meeting a couple of years ago, and when the time came for questions, she asked: “Why don’t you guys get a microphone so we can hear?” You don’t say no to Marian. SHARP got a microphone and has been using it ever since. (We ought to name it “Marian.”)

Marian Rochford Olsson was born on a Sunday on a dairy farm in the hills of San Francisco. She says everyone was so excited by her arrival that they forgot to go to church. She hasn’t stopped turning heads. She chats with everyone, an ambassador for the neighborhood just by sitting on her front porch. And not just hello-how-are-you. She’s sharp and witty, friendly and inquiring, with plenty of mischief up her sleeve.

Marian has always had ideas, maybe because she hasn’t been afraid to change them. Husband Stan Olsson worked for the Immigration Service of the federal government. When he was stationed in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Marian was young and homesick, so she went home to San Francisco to live with her mom “for a few months.” She planned to stay in SF until she saved enough money for the bus ticket back. But after she had enough money for the bus, she decided she wanted to go by train instead. And when she had enough for a train ticket, she decided she wanted to go through the Panama Canal on a ship, which is what she did.

Stan was her soulmate. They had three kids—one every nine years: Leo in 1934, Kristine in 1943, and Stephen in 1952. Stan and Marian traveled extensively, including a nine-month exploration of Europe in a VW bus in the sixties. After Stan died, in 1988, Marian continued to travel, to Europe, Alaska, and the Caribbean with her family.

If you ask Marian for her secret to living a long life, as many people do, don’t expect the same answer. She has as many answers as she has people asking her. But certainly part of the “secret” is her not-at-all secret zest for living.  She loves chatting with family, friends, and neighbors. Visits are the highlight of her day, and she gives as good as she gets. Just talking to her makes you feel better about the world, which is not so easy. Thank you, Marian, for continuing to remind us how to live.

A boisterous bunch of 50 family, friends, and neighbors crowded into Marian’s home for the 104th birthday party.  Marian received a “Certificate of Honor” from Mayor Lee.  Son Stephen offered a toast.  Daughter Kris distributed party favors: a double pack of playing cards.  52 + 52 = 104 — get it? Marian included  this inscription: “I hope you have as much good luck in your life as I have had in mine.”  Marian blew out all the candles on the cake with breath to spare, though she did say, “I’m glad there aren’t 104.”