Mary Olsson Reynolds

Mary O. Reynolds, beloved wife of the late Robert J. Reynolds, passed away peacefully at home on March 31, 2026. She was 79 years old.

Born on November 28, 1946, in the Bronx, New York, Mary was the daughter of the late Elizabeth and Albin Olsson. She was a graduate from Darien High School, and began her working life with Metro-North Railroad, where she served in the ticket office. But it was in the role of mother that Mary truly found her calling she was, by all accounts, the best stay-at-home mom a family could hope for.

Never one to sit still for long, Mary joined her best friend Evelyn in the early 1990s cleaning offices a venture as much about friendship and fresh air as it was about work. Then, in January 1996, she became part of the opening crew of the very first Walmart, store #2371 in Wallingford, Connecticut, starting as a cashier and rising to Customer Service Manager a role that suited her warm and welcoming nature perfectly. She retired in November 2003, trading her register for something far more rewarding: the full-time joy of caring for her grandchildren.

Mary loved her family with her whole heart and was an active, enthusiastic presence in their lives. She could be found cheering at football games, track events, volleyball games, swim meets, soccer games, dance recitals, and school events, always in the front row when it came to the people she loved most. She had a spirited taste in music and was willing to join her kids and grandchildren at kid's shows, Broadway shows and concerts whether it be Kenny Chesney, Rod Stewart, Celtic Thunder, Neil Diamond, Bon Jovi, Taylor Swift, or Katy Perry live. Mary also took quiet pleasure in the simple things that made life beautiful whether that was tending to her flowers or keeping her standing hair appointment, she took care to bring a little color and joy into every day. A testament to her generous heart, she let the kids keep Bandit and Otis when they were brought home as kittens, and while dogs may not have been exactly her thing, somehow Thor and Mercury never got the memo they adored her anyway, and she loved them back in her own way.

Mary was predeceased by her husband Robert J. Reynolds; and brothers Robert and Richard Olsson. She is survived by her sister, Carole Alicandro, and her brother, Al Olsson; her son Bryan and daughter-in-law Jennifer (Botte) Reynolds of Murfreesboro, TN; her daughter Michele and son-in-law John Raffles of Chesterfield, MO; her son Keith Reynolds and his long-time partner Stephanie Ruiz of Meriden; and her four cherished granddaughters, Nicole and Sydney Raffles, and Mia and MacKenzie Reynolds. To all of them, she was simply and perfectly Grandma Mary.

The family wishes to express its deepest gratitude to the caregivers at St. Luke's Hospice, whose compassionate in-home care brought Mary comfort, dignity, and peace in her final days.

Funeral arrangements will be private and there will be no calling hours. Those wishing to honor Mary's memory are invited to make a gift to St. Luke's Hospice.

She is reunited now with the love of her life, her parents, brothers and best friend, Evelyn. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

To share a memory of Mary or leave a special message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.