Juana “Jenny” Del Socorro Olson, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully at home Monday, Sept. 7, 2026 at the age of 70. She was the ultimate caregiver — the matriarch, dedicating her life to her family, friends, and so many more. And because of that, she went by many names — Juanita, Polla, Tia Jenny, Aunt Jenny, Mrs. Jenny, Mom, and perhaps her proudest — Ita (short for Abuelita in Spanish).

The eldest girl and second of nine children, Jenny was born in Masaya, Nicaragua on Feb. 29, 1956 to Donald Miranda and Maria Ignacia Mendoza de Miranda. She attended the Colegio de las Monjas Españolas for grade school and the Instituto Inmaculada Diriamba for high school. Even from a young age, Jenny talked to everyone and made friends quickly. She was gregarious, generous in spirit, fun-loving, and unconditionally supportive.

After the earthquake of 1972 devastated Managua and destroyed the family’s home, Jenny courageously embarked on a journey that would change her life and that of her family’s — moving to the United States as an exchange student. While studying as an exchange student in Maryland she met the love of her life, Lloyd Olson. Jenny and Lloyd wed with a small ceremony on August 26, 1976.

Soon the Olson’s home became a refuge for Jenny’s two younger sisters Magda and Anabell — and many more in subsequent years — as the family fled war, economic devastation, violence, and political instability in Nicaragua. While Jenny built a new life in Severna Park, Maryland, she maintained strong ties with her large extended family and a sense of pride in her culture.

As “the pioneer” or the first to have settled in the United States of her siblings, Jenny was the center of the family and the glue that connected everyone. Jenny welcomed everyone with warmth, laughter, an unwavering sense of belonging, and, of course, her famous cooking. (Not to mention her crab dip!) 

She was present — for her husband; for her children; for her parents; for her siblings; for her nieces and nephews; and for her friends. Her home was the epicenter of holiday celebrations, and she hardly ever missed a milestone, no matter where it was. Jenny didn’t let distance get in the way of being there for family.

When Jenny had her two children, Michael and Christina, she made the decision to run a business at home — a daycare — instead of working outside the home so she could be more present. So many of the children “Ms. Jenny” raised became like family. There was hardly a question about caregiving she couldn’t answer. Ms. Jenny was the baby and toddler guru.

And so, nothing quite fulfilled her like caring for her own grandchildren, Liam, Eva, Gabriel, and Marco. Endlessly giving and selfless, Jenny was the consummate grandmother. When her kids got older, she and Lloyd also spent time traveling with cherished friends.

Jenny leaves behind her husband Lloyd, children Michael Olson and Christina Sipe, her daughter-in-law April Olson, her son-in-law Bruce Sipe, and her grandchildren Liam Sipe, Eva Sipe, Gabriel Olson, and Marco Olson. She is also survived by her mother, Maria Ignacia Mendoza de Miranda, brothers Donald, Alvaro, and Jader Miranda and sister Anabell Rudacille. Her legacy — the family she built — remains.

A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday September 19, 2026 from 10:00am-12:00pm with a remembrance service starting at 12:00pm at Barranco Severna Park Funeral Home & Cremation Care,P.A. 495 Ritchie Hwy. Severna Park, MD 21146.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a memorial donation to the Organization for Autism Research in honor of Juana Olson. Gifts can be made at https://researchautism.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/.