Olive L. (Smith) Larson, 84, of West Springfield, died peacefully March 16 at Oakdale Rehabilitation in West Boylston after a short illness. Born on a 600-acre dairy farm in Cabot, Vt., she was the daughter of the late Edwin and Clara (Carpenter) Smith. Valedictorian of her class at Cabot High, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in music education from the University of Vermont. She moved to Massachusetts for her post-graduate studies, earning her Master's in music from Boston University. A lifelong soprano and educator, she taught music in White Plains, N.Y.; served as the elementary school music supervisor in Sudbury, MA; and was a dedicated substitute teacher in the West Springfield and Southwick school systems for more than 20 years, earning the Friend of Education Award in 1989 from the West Springfield Education Association. After her graduation from BU, Olive was the soloist at Grace Congregational Church in Framingham, and later, the longtime soloist at Mittineague Congregational Church in West Springfield. Most recently, she was a choir member of the Southwick Congregational Church. She sang in the Oratorio Society of New York, the Festival Chorus of Westfield, the Greater Westfield Choral Association, and the Berkshire Choral Festival, making appearances at Carnegie Hall 40 years apart. Olive was a member of the Ahlem Temple, No. 84, Daughters of the Nile since 1976, and a musician in the temple from 1978-2000. In retirement, she volunteered as a docent at the Springfield Art Museum from 1993-2003, enriching the minds of hundreds of school children in the Pioneer Valley. An active knitter, piano teacher, and a voracious reader of biography, history, and exploration, she believed firmly that education never ends. Concert tours took her to Scandinavia, Australia, and New Zealand and she also made memorable visits to Germany, Italy, the Canadian Rockies, Nova Scotia and a number of cities across the U.S. But she also treasured quiet days at the family cottage on Hardwick Pond in Hardwick, MA, and passionately followed the Red Sox, Celtics, and the University of Connecticut women's basketball program. She valued many good friendships and above all, family meant everything to Olive. She is survived by her two sons: Craig, and his wife, Lisa, of Clinton, and their daughters Eva and Erika; and Steven, and his wife Allison, of Chelmsford; and their children, Caroline and Matthew. She also leaves 10 nephews and nieces and a numerous cousins. Olive was pre-deceased by her husband of 27 years, Robert C. Larson, in 1988, and by her brothers, Robert and David Smith. A memorial service will be held at the Southwick Congregational Church Friday at Noon. Visiting hours will be at the West Springfield Curran-Jones Funeral Home Thursday from 3:00 – 6:00pm. For more details please visit curranjones.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 56 Carew Street, Springfield, MA, 01104.