In Memoriam: Øyvind Olsen
Published July 9, 2026
Dear Øyvind, you are such a wonderful person!
Just a year ago, we gathered here in this church to say goodbye to Svanhild. Now both of you are gone forever—you two with such warm hearts for the students and staff in The Gambia. To everyone, you were thoughtful and kind—you were two extraordinary people whom everyone loved.
Dear Øyvind, we have many fond memories of everything you took on, both in Gambia and at the Butterfly store. Whenever something needed fixing, our first thought was, “Øyvind can surely help us.” He could fix and sort out just about anything.
It was the same in The Gambia. In the photo on the left, you’re standing on some planks between the school buildings in Ebo Town, screwing up the gutters. Those of us around you were terrified. They were just a few planks. Yes, you had a rope tied around your waist, but still. Fortunately, everything turned out fine.
It was the first time the people in Gambia had ever seen gutters. You’d noticed during a previous visit that there were no gutters, and we had to have them. They couldn’t be bought in Gambia, so you bought them in Norway and we packed them into a container that was shipped over. You took care of it all. They’re still hanging there, doing their job.
We celebrated your birthday several times in The Gambia; we went on boat trips up the Gambia River, and we enjoyed many delicious dinners together. Yes, there was a lot of joy and fun, both at the schools and on all our other trips.
I stopped by your house a few times, but it was quiet in Tønsberg. That’s why I was so happy when you opened the door just two months ago. It was a tired Øyvind who answered. I missed Svanhild terribly, but I was so glad you were home, and I was able to give you a warm, heartfelt hug.
You had two marzipan cakes in the fridge, which you’d bought for yourself and your son for the next day. But you wouldn’t hear of it—we were going to enjoy some cake and coffee. Yes, it was a very pleasant time, which turned out to be our last time together. It’s just so sad.
There’s so much I could say, but you’re gone. We’ll never forget you and Svanhild—you two extraordinary people in Tønsberg. I hope and believe that the two of you are together again now.
Dear Øyvind, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the joy we shared together, both in Tønsberg, Vikersund, and Gambia. We honor the memories of both Svanhild and Øyvind and will carry you in our hearts forever.
Butterfly Friends extends its heartfelt thanks to the family, who once again chose to make a donation to the organization instead of sending flowers.
We also extend our heartfelt thanks to all of you who have sent us donations. The funds will be used to purchase new textbooks for Butterfly Friends’ 1,500 students. The books will be distributed when school resumes after the summer break in September 2026.
