Olga Fear
Olga Myra Fear, 90, formerly of Newtown, died peacefully on the morning of May 23, in Wallingford. Born in Gorseinon, Wales, on January 22, 1927, she grew up in London as the only child of Florence and Luther Fear.
She experienced London's bombings and rationing during World War II, before she was evacuated to the countryside until the end of the war, like many other children of Londoners.
When the war ended, she rejoined her parents and eventually studied home sciences at the University of London, where she met David Nisbet Mends. The couple emigrated to Canada, where they married, then moved to Connecticut where she was to remain for the rest of her life.
When the couple divorced, she married Emery Kultsar and took a position with Newtown Savings Bank, where she was familiar to many Newtowners over the decades until her retirement. She was active in the community, as an amateur actress in many Newtown Town Players productions, sometimes also putting her formal operatic training to use with song. The couple then purchased a large property in Roxbury, where they designed and built their own home.
Following a second divorce, Ms Fear moved to New Milford and continued her active community life through her church, Little Theatre work, and most especially Eastern Star in Woodbury, where she rose to hold the position of matron twice.
Her final years were spent in Ashlar Village, enjoying a quiet life with friends and a little black cat. She passed away peacefully at the Masonic Care Health Center after protracted declining health following a stroke.
Her children and their spouses, Nigel and Jane Mends of Montana, Carol and Thomas Halsdorf of Bristol, and Deborah Mends of France; and her grandchildren Eva, Morgan, Philippe, and Hélène survive her.
A brief public graveside service to bury her ashes will take place on Wednesday, June 21, at 11 am, in the Memorial Garden at Walnut Grove Cemetery in Meriden.
Memorial donations may be given to the Eastern Star Lodge of Woodbury at Order of Eastern Star Pomperaug Chapter #88, 477 Main Street South, Woodbury CT 06798.
Further information may be obtained from the Howard K. Hill Funeral Home in New Haven by calling 203-624-4477.