Obituary: Setha Olson, 87

Setha G. Olson of Lincoln, formerly of Lexington, passed away on Jan. 13, 2017, leaving behind her husband of nearly 60 years, Eric Olson; her four children, Matt, Margaret, Sigrid and Charles Olson; and four grandchildren, Katherine and Erik Svetlichny, Benjamin and Peter Price-Olson.

From the day she was born, on June 18, 1929, Setha was always fiercely independent and highly intelligent. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Swarthmore College with a B.A. in chemistry in 1951. She went to work as a polymer research chemist for Hercules Powder Co., registering many patents in the course of her work. She developed a rubber related to the one used in Super Balls and other toys, marveling that the bouncy polymers had finally found a commercial use.

After marrying Eric Olson, Setha left her job to raise four children and continued her interest in science. She was an active member of the League of Women Voters and was a leader in finding new methods of state financing for education, doing the mathematical analysis for their effort. She was an active advocate for services to the intellectually disabled and people with autism, helping to enact Chapter 766, the Massachusetts law for the education of people with autism, as well as later laws for the provision of services to the intellectually disabled.

When her children were in their teens, Setha returned to her chemistry career, working in microphotolithography for GCA Corp., a manufacturer of semiconductor equipment. She became a well-known figure in the field throughout the world. Upon retirement, she traveled extensively, visiting the Galapagos, Antarctica and Peru, trekking in the Himalayas and following the Silk Road. She will be greatly missed.

A private family funeral service will be held followed by interment at Westview Cemetery in Lexington. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Lurie Center for Autism.