Mrs. Olds was born on Feb. 10, 1937 in Whitesville to Cecil F. and Frances M. (Johnson) Clark. She was a 1955 graduate of Andover Central School. In the summer of 1957 in Genesee, Pa. she married Norman Francis “Sandy” Cornelius, who predeceased her on March 23, 1963. On May 8, 1965, at Independence Church, she married Dorr E. Olds, who predeceased her on July 16, 2015.
Barbara worked as a dispatcher for NYS Department of Transportation in Friendship from 1972 until her retirement in 1993. She started her working career as a waitress and co-owner with her husband Sandy at the College Inn in Alfred in the mid 1950’s and from 1957 - 65, she was a co-owner with her mother-in-law at the Coffee Pot in Wellsville. During that time, Barb and Sandy also owned and operated the Cornelius Dairy Farm in Andover. In her post retirement years, she worked part-time as a waitress at the Beef Haus in Wellsville.
Barb is survived by two sons, Norm (Sue) Olds of Andover and Edward (Kara) Olds of Rochester; three brothers, Jack (Glenna) Clark, Larry (Wanda) Clark and Dale (Marsha) Clark, all of Andover; four sisters, Joan (Charley) Wallace and Sylvia Lehman, both of Andover, Pauline (Garth) Hulin of Wabash, Ind. and Carol Roth of Fla.; two sisters-in-law, Mary Phyllis Clark of Wellsville and Nellie Mae Clark of Andover; and a brother-in-law, David Ankeny of Crofton, Md.
Additionally, she is survived by six grandchildren, Levi Olds, Carly Olds, Emily Olds, Dr. Kristie (Matt) Petree, Kylie Olds and Samuel Olds; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to both husbands, she was predeceased by two brothers, Cecil R. “Dick” Clark and Ernest Blair Clark; a sister, Beverly Ankeny; and one grandson, Jake Olds.
Barbara was a woman of many interests. She enjoyed the solitude of a good book, especially her quiet times of reading the Bible. Barb loved the fresh air and exercise of her daily walk and because of her love for trees, Spring was particularly enjoyable as she anticipated the blooming of the lilac bushes. She had a keen interest in watching tennis and as a player, was very competitive at the sport. Barb also loved animals. She especially loved her corgi “Taffy” and made pets out of all their dairy cows, which, like her dog, were all overweight.
Barbara had a lifelong passion for food; whether preparing it during her diner days, cooking it for her family at home or eating out at her favorite restaurant, the Beef Haus, she always preferred that “homemade” taste. But the kitchen was not without its dangers as it was not unusual for her to burn pot holders in her haste. Finally, Barbara had both a tough and a generous side to her. Her toughness was born out of caring for two husbands during their long and difficult battle with cancer. Her generous side often found a home with her granddaughters, the secret beneficiaries of her little monetary gifts.
Visitation will be held on Thursday from 5:00-7:30 p.m. at the Baker-Swan Funeral Home, 3256 Riverside Drive in Wellsville. The funeral service will be on Friday at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Dennis Munro of the North Bingham Community Church, officiating. Burial will follow in Independence Union Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in Barbara’s name may be made to SPCA Serving Allegany County, 1374 SR 19A, Wellsville, NY 14895.
