Olga “Lolly” Halverson of Orcas Island, Washington passed away Friday, Jan. 7, 2011, in her sleep.

Lolly was the daughter of Missionary, Father Metropolskie, of the Russian Orthodox Church. Beginning in Seattle in 1925, they moved to Churches in Chicago, Detroit, Syracuse and Stanford. As a journalist in New York, she met and married Robert “Bob” Halverson and they settled outside of D.C., working communications for the C.I.A.

Together with their daughters, they traveled a lot and held posts in Germany, Norway and India. When abroad, Lolly wrote articles for community newspapers and was very active in University and American Women’s clubs. She organized a local phone directory for Americans living abroad and was on welcoming committees.

Upon retirement, they moved to Orcas Island where they both enjoyed working with their community. She started the initial Spring Point directory and maintained connections with numerous local groups. Lolly is survived by her daughters, Diane Ansel and Nancy Melvin; grandchildren, May and Leif Melvin; and loving family members, Brian and Tom Melvin.

A funeral service will be held at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 20 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Eastsound, Washington, with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery.

Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and the San Juan Islands.

To share memories of Lolly, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.

Submitted by Lolly Halverson’s family.