Eileen Olson Kney, 88, of Utica, passed away Saturday, April 7, 2018, with family members at her side, after a brief struggle with lung cancer.
Eileen was born on August 2, 1929, to Russell and Eleanor Olson, in Brooklyn NY. She had a short but enjoyable year attending Immaculata College, and at her father’s urging, left for studies at the Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School in New York City. After school she met the insurance claims adjuster who was handling her vehicle accident, and shortly after he provided a more than generous settlement for her. Dave Kney and Eileen Olson wed, and remained happily so for 54 years, until his passing in 2007.
She was a stay-at-home mom, raising her 4 children until they could fend for themselves, upon which time she began working at John F. Kennedy High School in Utica, one of her favorite jobs. She then went on to enjoy working as the district court clerk for various federal judges in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York for the next 20 years, retired and spent the remainder of her years traveling and visiting her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Lakes and the beach were her love, and she spent many a sunny day at Spring Lake, Coney Island, Jones Beach, Camp Nazareth, Cancun, Brigantine Island, Marco Island and many other similar venues. Winter getaways with the “group” at Lake Placid also earned a special place in her heart. After the passing of her husband, Dave, she also enjoyed her Widow’s Club, Bridge Club, and Investment Club, dinner at Joey’s, a good game of cuckoo and bingo, and a cold glass of “Gramma’s water”. In the end she did not tell us how to live, but rather she lived, and let us watch her do it.
She is survived by three sons, Jeffrey Kney and his wife, Jane, of East Aurora, NY, Kevin Kney and his wife, Connie, of Rockford, IL, Brian Kney of Utica, NY; daughter, JoAnn Rosolia and her husband, David, of Grafton, MA; brother, Ronald Olson; sisters-in-law, Patricia Olson, of Middle Island, NY and Joan Kney of Pearl River, NY; eight grandchildren, Molly (Kney) Cullinan and her husband, Patrick, Jeffrey Kney and his wife, Ashley, Adam Kney and his wife, Laurie, Nicholas Kney, Kendra Kney and her fiancé, Mark, Alex Kney, Anna Kney, and Daniel Rosolia; 10 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Dave; her parents, Russell and Eleanor Olson; brothers-in-law, Gerard and Jack Kney and nephew, Gerry Kney.
The family would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Porus Dhabhar and his caring nurse staff, Memorial Sloan Kettering for 13 years of survivorship under their care, and the wonderful staff at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center in Milford, MA. A special thanks also to Mom’s loyal and loving friends, who kept her in good company while keeping her spirits high.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, April 14th at 12 noon at Historic Old St. John’s Church in Utica NY. The family will receive guests after Mass. Interment will be at a later date in Holy Rood Cemetery, Long Island, NY.
Remembrances in Eileen’s name may be made to Historic Old St. John's Church, 240 Bleecker St, Utica, NY 13501, or the American Cancer Society. Envelopes will be available at the Mass.