Olive A. Nolan

Waltham – Miss Olive A. Nolan, of Waltham, died Friday, December 4, 2009 at Milton Hospital. She was 83. Olive was born in Waltham on August 23, 1926, a daughter of the late Thomas F. and Margaret J. (Loftus) Nolan, and had been a lifelong resident. She was a graduate of Lasell Seminary in Newton and earned her bachelors and master's degree from Sargent College of Boston University. In her youth she was a star tennis player at Lasell and skier in the New Hampshire mountains. Upon her graduation from B.U. in 1948, Olive began a forty year career at Regis College in Weston as a professor, coach, and director of physical education and athletics. Olive was a life member of the Massachusetts Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. She was instrumental in helping to establish the Massachusetts Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women and integrating the goals of that organization with the national association. She was also an honorary life member of the Boston Board of Officials. She was honored by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association for her dedication and support of the State Girls Golf Tournament held annually at Woodland Golf Club. Olive coached field hockey, basketball, softball and volleyball from 1948 to 1988. She worked to establish the first MAIAW volleyball tournament and coached the Regis team to the Division II championship. She officiated many college volleyball matches and helped to establish the Volleyball Board of Officials. As a member of the Boston Board of Officials she participated in numerous ratings sessions. After her retirement from Regis in 1988 she remained active with many of the women’s athletics organizations that she had helped to found. She was also a longtime member of Woodland Golf Club in Newton, the Marshfield Golf Club and a member of the Women’s Golf Association of Massachusetts. She competed in many state WGAM events as well as the South Shore Women's League for many years. Olive will be remembered as part of the trio of ‘Nolan Women’ who achieved so much for girls and women’s sports throughout the region. Claire – the frontperson and spokesperson – Olive, the quiet force and worker in the background, and Margaret – who had the final word on all projects. Most importantly however, the sisters will be remembered for the loving care they took of their family, their parents, and their beloved sister, Jean M. Nolan of Waltham. Their devotion to their faith and to their community leave an everlasting impact on those who had the privilege of knowing them and being the great benefactors of their time, talent, treasure and energy. In addition to her sister, Jean, Olive leaves her nephews, Eugene R. Boeglin, Jr. of Lexington and Thomas F. Nolan, III of Westport, Connecticut; her niece, Margaret J. McNeil of Charleston, South Carolina and several grandnieces and grandnephews. She was a sister of the late Thomas F. Nolan, Jr., Catherine E. Boeglin, Claire R. Nolan and Margaret M. Nolan. Family and friends will honor and remember Olive’s life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Tuesday from 2 to 6 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Wednesday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Mary’s Church, 133 School Street, Waltham where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham. Memorial donations may be made to the Waltham Scholarship Fund, Waltham High School, 617 Lexington Street, Waltham, MA 02452 or to Larry’s Children’s Fund, c/o Rev. Gerard D. Barry, Regina Cleri Residence, 60 Wm. Cardinal O’Connell Way, Boston, MA 02114.