Resolution: Birthe Jensen Olesen Birthe Jensen Olesen passed away on January 9th 2020 in Media, Pennsylvania at the age of 92. Birthe joined the Philadelphia Princess Marie Lodge 86 on April 19, 1962. Birthe was considered our matriarch and will be greatly missed by all. Birthe was born December 17, 1927 in Aalborg, Denmark. She was the Daughter of the late Magnus and Kirstine (Simonsen) Jensen. She was the oldest of four children growing up and attending school in Aalborg. After finishing her secondary education Birthe went on to study nursing at Copenhagen Hospital. She loved to travel; after a few years of nursing in Copenhagen Birthe decided to branch out and experience life in other countries, first Scotland and England and then the United States. She came here as a nursing exchange student. On November 15, 1955 at the age of 27, Birthe sailed on the Oslofjord, and arrived in New York City. Birthe met her husband Georg Olesen while working in New Jersey. Georg was a fellow Dane coming to the US in 1954. They married May 4th 1957 in the Danish Lutheran Church in Perth Amboy. NJ. The couple settled in the Philadelphia area and quickly became active members of the Danish Brotherhood and Danish Sisterhood Societies. Georg passed away January 1988 after 30 years of marriage. Birthe was a very active committed member of the Sisterhood, rarely missing a lodge meeting or district convention. Birthe was awarded the 2017 Sister of the Year award at the 2017 EGC Convention held in Philadelphia, PA. In 2012 we celebrated her 50th anniversary with 2 other sister members Toby and Ulla, who had joined the sisterhood that same year. In 1983 the Danish Sisterhood celebrated its 100-year anniversary and held its National Convention in Philadelphia. This was the first combined Sisterhood and Brotherhood National Convention Danish Sisterhood News, March 2021
known as Phila-Dania, Birthe and her husband Georg spearheaded the convention. Birthe hosted our Lodge’s Christmas Party in her condominium’s party room where she lived in Glen Mills, PA. Smorgasbord, Aquavit, Danish beer and of course Risalamande for dessert was always delicious. Dancing around the Christmas Tree singing Christmas Carrols in Danish and English, opening our gifts--all of this happened because of Birthe’s generosity, opening up her home to all of her sisters. Birthe is survived by her 3 daughters Bente, Annette and Linda. Her daughters Bente and Annette are active members of Sisterhood Lodge 86. Birthe is also survived by her 9 grandchildren and one great grandson. We will miss her! Bente Olesen Cloud, Daughter & Danish Sister
February & March Specials Purchase a heart compact, heart flag earrings or a coral heart pendant and the profits from your purchase will go toward the DSS Archival Project. danishsisterhood.org
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