Janet (Willette) Olkkola, 77, of Harwich, MA, passed away on January 24, 2016 at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis, MA after succumbing to the complications of pneumonia and COPD. Janet “Jan” was born in Somerville, MA on February 11, 1938 to the late Albert and Hazel (Hopkins) Willette. She is survived by her loving husband, Edward “Dick” Olkkola and two sons, Edward Olkkola of Dallas, TX and Eric Olkkola of Brewster, MA, her two grandchildren, Emily Olkkola and Lily Olkkola and their mother, Sandra, of Grapevine, TX. She is also survived by her step-sisters, Louise Wheeler and Margaret Willettte, and her step-brother, Charlie Willette. She leaves many loving nieces and nephews and dear friends. She was the sister of Ethel Barker, Dorothy Govoni, Alice Ellis, her step-brother, Paul Willette, and her step-mother, Elsie Willette, all of whom predeceased her. Her family heritage reaches back to the Hopkins family of the Mayflower expedition.

Jan attended the Ezra H. Baker and John Simpkins schools. After graduating high school she was employed by the Cape & Vineyard Electric Company. She became a licensed Massachusetts Real Estate Broker and certified school bus driver and later in her life she lent her talents to the Brewster Town Hall and the Bank of Boston. Jan and Dick purchased Saltaway Cottages in 1977 where she managed all administrative and operational responsibilities, selling it in 1988 and retiring to Harwich, MA.

Throughout her entire life Jan displayed her considerable artistic talent, winning many awards for her hooked rugs and quilts. She also made stylish and unique dresses for herself, sweaters and shirts for Edward and Eric, as young boys, and warm clothing for her husband, Dick, when he was a lineman for AT&T. While never considering herself an artist, her talents matured over the years to exceptional artistic prominence.

Jan loved playing games and was an avid scrabble player. She would play her grandchildren, Emily and Lily, online and at family gatherings, but they soon realized winning against her was a rare event. Jan always understated her intelligence and capabilities, but they became quickly known and respected by those around her. Everyone who knew her thought very highly of her intellect and her compassion for others.

Helping others understand and cope with COPD was one of Jan’s passions. She loved going to the Cape Cod Hospital and made many friends there, demonstrating that her condition would never keep her from living an active and fulfilling life.

In her retirement, her son, Eric Olkkola, was exceptionally supportive and always available for her. Even before Jan’s struggle with COPD, Eric made certain that his mother and father were well taken care of, from plowing and shoveling snow to being the grill chef on Sunday cookouts, to looking after their homestead while she traveled with Dick on many cruises and vacations.

Jan met Dick in 1952 and after becoming high school sweethearts they were married in 1955. Their entire marriage of 60 years was spent on the place she loved so much, Cape Cod. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother, and will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Goodbye my “Little Buddy”, I’ll always miss you.

Friends and relatives are invited to call at the Hallett Funeral Home, 273 Station Ave., South Yarmouth, MA on Saturday, February 6, 2016 from 1:00 to 3:00 P.M. with a brief service at 3:00 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Harwich Rescue Squad, 175 Sisson Rd., Harwich, MA 02645.

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