Susan Owens Olson, 83

February 1, 1943 – May, 11, 2026

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Susan Owens Olson of Duxbury, MA on May 11, 2026. She is now with her Lord and Savior and at peace.

Susan was born in Philadelphia, PA, the daughter of Hazel Matthews Owens and John Linwood Owens. She enjoyed a wonderful childhood with a close-knit family that included many cousins, aunts and uncles that were all very dear to her heart. In addition to celebrating holidays, birthdays and other milestones together, the extended family spent their summers together in Ocean City, NJ where lifelong memories were made. If you ever saw a "Matthews Family Goodbye" you would know just how much they enjoyed each other's company.

Susan enjoyed a variety of activities and interests as a child, but it was her artistic talent that stood out from an early age. After graduating from Springfield Township High School in Erdenheim, PA in 1961, Susan studied fine arts at both Syracuse University and Moore College of Art & Design where she refined her skills as an oil and watercolor artist.

As a young mother in the 1970's, Susan embraced and excelled at all aspects of motherhood, creating a warm and loving home for her family. While her 3 young children certainly did their best to keep her on her toes, Susan still found time to put her artistic skills to good use in the garden, the kitchen, by needlepointing and knitting personalized gifts for family and friends as well as making children's clothing and fashionable accessories. Her quilted purses were coveted far and wide!

Once her children were in school, Susan ventured back to the corporate world and found her sweet spot in the world of healthcare marketing research which proved to be an excellent fit for her unique professional skills and personal talents. Susan worked her way up the ladder at IMS America (now IQVIA), Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Merck as Head of US Marketing Research, Animal Health and eventually landed at Pfizer's headquarters in NYC in the early 1990's as the Director of Worldwide Market Research for their Animal Health Division. Throughout her career, Susan held various board and committee positions with industry associations and was highly regarded by her peers. Susan's career involved frequent travel and many memorable adventures around the globe, from dusty cattle ranches to elegant boardrooms and ballrooms.

In 1995, Susan started the Olson Research Group, a consultancy business that would allow her to "work with the clients she truly liked on the projects that genuinely inspired her."  With her reputation as an outstanding marketing research analyst and savvy corporate strategist, the company grew rapidly and in new and exciting directions. Susan was a pioneer in developing a software platform to conduct market research studies online versus the traditional methods of telephone and in-person research interviews. As the president of her own company, Susan was dedicated to supporting her employees both professionally and personally, especially working mothers as she understood their unique challenges firsthand. She cared deeply for every single employee.

After retiring in 2004 and selling Olson Research to her son Chip, Susan opened "The Woolly Lamb," a bespoke knitting and needlepoint store in Pennington, NJ. Susan brought her beloved golden retriever Meggy to work with her every day and thoroughly enjoyed running the shop and spending time with her many wonderful customers and friends.

Over the course of her life, Susan harnessed her positive attitude, endless energy, blind faith that things will work out in the end, and belief that good things come to good people who work hard. Above all, she had a heart beyond measure and offered an endless supply of kindness, forgiveness and generosity to everyone that she encountered. Susan lived a full and meaningful life, and the world is a better place for having had an angel like her with us.

Susan is survived by her children Heidi Olson of Ewing, NJ; Charles Olson (Chip) and his wife Stephanie of Kiawah Island, SC; and Jennifer Olson Thorn and her husband Philip of Duxbury, MA. Susan is also survived by her granddaughters Kirsten Thorn and Liza Thorn of Duxbury, MA who brought great joy to her later years.

Susan was predeceased by her brother Randal. L. Owens of Coralville, IA; sister Sally Owens of Wilmington, DE; and former husband Charles A Olson, Jr. of Schwenksville, PA.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at Pilgrim Church of Duxbury in Duxbury, MA. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to The Seeing Eye in Morristown, NJ or Yankee Golden Retrievers Rescue in Hudson, MA.