Gaye Roberts Olsen

Gaye Roberts was born to Edna T. Anderson Roberts and Lyman B. Roberts on 10 June 1938 in “Little” Washington, NC. She was premature, not breathing, and left in a crib to die. Soon after, a nurse friend of her mother’s came in and was determined to save her. She did – and Gaye went on to become a truly remarkable woman in ways too numerous to count! The time lapse between birth and breathing left her with Cerebral Palsy, which for her included many physical deficits. Her parents were told to institutionalize her. Instead they took her home, got her whatever therapies were available, and made her push herself, perhaps too hard at times. Gaye spent a lifetime challenging herself (and all her health care providers!) to overcome those deficits where possible, work around them when necessary, and very reluctantly learn to live with the rest as graciously as possible. She did all her daily exercises religiously, determined to stay as active as possible. She was, to put it mildly, a life force to be reckoned with. She was kind, loving, humble, and her smile lit up any room she was in. But if you asked any of her legion of friends and family to describe her, most all of us would start with words such as tenacious, doggedly persistent, or determined. 

Gaye lived in “Little” Washington with her parents until she was nine, then moved to Petersburg, VA for elementary and high school. She had the incredible opportunity to spend her sophomore year in Germany with her Dad (who was in the military). They were able to travel to 15 different countries. She loved every minute of it! Gaye completed her last two years of high school in Petersburg, where she was involved in many extracurricular activities and earned a high school letter. She then attended Mary Washington College that at the time was the women’s college of the University of Virgina, receiving a BA in Psychology, and followed that with a Master’s degree from Richmond Professional Institute in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling. 

In 1961 Gaye went to work for the Social Security Disability Program in Richmond, VA after completing an internship. She did so well that she was promoted to Unit Supervisor after 5 years, despite the basic work requirement being 6 years. During this time Gaye became active in her professional organization and traveled a great deal. Gaye met her future husband, Robert L. Olsen in Las Vegas while she was campaigning for the national office of Secretary-Treasurer. She won the office – and a new friend. During her last year in Virginia Gaye helped to establish the first extension office for Social Security Benefits in VA at Virgina Beach. 

On Valentine’s Day in 1976 Gaye and Dick were married in Christ Chapel in Boise ID. Gaye’s Episcopal priest from Virginia Beach performed the ceremony. In 1980 Gaye went to work for Blue Cross of ID. She worked in the Human Resources Dept. and in Claims. She had previously held two temporary jobs in ID with Health and Welfare. She worked with people with mental disabilities and in personnel. In addition to working full time (using public transportation), maintaining their home, and volunteering with various charities, Gaye was always supportive of her husband in his work as a lobbyist for various health organizations. Sadly, in 1992 Dick died after a short illness. Gaye was devastated, but as was her style, she sought out a good counselor, persevered, and learned how to go on with her life despite the big hole in her heart. She drank too much for a while, but after friends called her on it, she stopped. Cold turkey. 

She stopped because she knew she should, but more because her friends were precious to her. If Gaye met you and liked you, and you were willing, you became her friend. She spent hours on the phone each week calling and emailing dear friends near and far, old and young. She was a great listener and offered unmatched, abundant wit and wisdom, comfort and succor. She hoped for the same in return. She prayed for her friends daily. She maintained friendships from every stage and place in her life (including tour ships), from childhood to the newest member at church. 

Gaye retired from Blue Cross of ID in 1997, which gave her more time to pursue all her various church activities and other volunteer work, and spend more time nurturing her local friendships. Her three closest friends somehow became “Team Gaysie”: her inner circle of advisors, supporters, first responders, truth tellers, etc.. 

Almost as important, retirement allowed Gaye to indulge the love of travel she developed that long ago year in Germany with her Dad. She felt very fortunate and thankful that she was able to travel extensively. She made trips back East to see Scotty and Phillippa and trips to Texas to see her mother. Her trips abroad included Greece, Alaska, Russia, Copper Canyon in Mexico, China, New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii, and Canada. Gaye often said that she could not have made these trips without God’s help, and the dedicated assistance of Eleanor Harmon and her husband, owners of Harmon Travel. They are truly the ones who made these trips logistically possible, often accompanying her to make sure she was safe and well cared for. Eleanor and Gaye remained friends until Eleanor’s death in 2024. 

It was on Gaye’s trip to Canada that she met and made friends with King and his partner, Poh Chin. King would become a very dear friend to Gaye. Until his death they talked almost every Sunday. Gaye flew to Australia to spend time with him, and he and Poh Chin vacationed with Gaye in Hawaii at least once. Poh Chin still calls Gaye and often sends spectacular flower arrangements to cheer her up. 

Gaye had a unique ability to make – and keep! – friends. She appreciated every single one of them because, for her, they were a way to know Christ better. And she believed she had a positive influence on others when she travelled. If nothing else, she showed them that people with physical impairments could live a (very) rich, full life even if ordinary activities were much more difficult to accomplish. 

Gaye somehow walked unassisted for many decades, but eventually her knees began to betray her. She persisted in walking anyway, accepting the pain and eventually, grudgingly, accepting the need for first a cane, then a walker. Then she broke her wrist in a fall, and life changed dramatically. It was time to give up her lovely little home and move into Assisted Living – and an electric wheelchair. A PT at the Elks said she’d never be able to use an electric wheelchair or go to Assisted Living. Gaye set out with her usual determination and persistence to prove him wrong. Two months later she left Aspen Transitional Rehab and moved into Grace Assisted Living in Boise – riding in like a triumphant queen in her new electric wheelchair! (This is not to say she wasn’t something of a menace at times…) 

Gaye was incredibly well read, though holding a book and turning pages became more of a challenge over time. Then a friend told her about Kindle – and she was hooked!! Finally, a manageable “book”! Many books! All in one little device! Magic!! She also loved going to the movies. When that became harder she soon discovered Netflix. Credit Amazon and Netflix with buoying her spirits and letting her do two of the things she loved. 

Gaye was a devout Christian and joined St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Boise as soon as she moved to ID. She attended Cursillo retreats 25 years ago – and has met with her friend Louise Matlack once a week ever since, encouraging each other spiritually in a variety of ways. She could sum up and tell you the essential points of any sermon she ever heard. Her speech may have been imperfect, but her hearing was exceptional and her memory prodigious! She was a good Episcopalian, i.e., faithful to the core, but with honest doubts and questions. She took classes, read books, and more than one priest got a phone call on Monday morning with questions about his or her sermon… 

Gaye died the way she lived. She was sick with a “cold” the week of 5 January, hospitalized with pneumonia and the flu on 12 January, and discharged to home on the 17th – on Hospice. She was feeling better but was in tremendous pain in her knees and neck. And she was tired of having to fight so hard to do everything. 

After 86 and a half years, she decided it was time to return to her “real” Home. She told the doctor she wanted to go on Hospice, go back to Grace, and die. And so she did. She stopped fighting and opened herself completely to God’s loving, welcoming embrace. She died quietly and peacefully in the early hours of 23 January, Home at last. 

Gaye had hundreds of friends – because she was loving, kind, thoughtful, and honest. If you would keep her memory alive in you and in the world, go and do likewise. Gaye will be cheering you on. 

Gaye’s friends and family would like to thank Grace Assisted Living in Boise for taking wonderful care of her these last 12-13 years. She loved all of you. She would thank you most of all for introducing her to Tiffany Fite, who spent many months typing as Gaye dictated her autobiography to her. Tiffany introduced Gaye to meeting on Zoom and Gaye loved “joining” Tiffany and her husband as they have been studying and touring all over Europe. Another new friend… 

Gaye would like any memorial gifts to go the St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church at 2206 N. Cole Rd., Boise ID 83704. 

Her funeral service will be at St. Stephen’s on February 11th (Tuesday) at 2:00 PM. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall. All are welcome.