Olga Renee Richardson
Olga Renee Richardson has been with Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle for 27 years and manages the banquet department. “I create superior group dining experiences, planning and coordinating the sequence of service, creating décor for food tables, weddings, conferences and cooperate events.”
Mom to: Dallas Renee, 27; King Cyprus, 26
Hometown: I grew up in Hartford, Connecticut, but I’ve been a resident of Seattle since 1980.
Favorite ways to spend family time in WA: Gathering with immediate and extended family. We get together twice a week or more to share meals, help each other with the nieces, nephews and elders. I participate in a lot of community and church activities. And I especially enjoy hanging out with my husband and best friend, Jerry.
Your most rewarding motherhood moment: My mother being with me when my daughter was born, and she handed me my little girl. The look in my mother’s eyes was surreal. It was as though she was reliving the experience of having me all over again. It was the deepest joy I had ever seen my mother express. There were no words just big, deep, loving feelings.
Biggest challenge as a mom: Time to experience the present moment. That’s why I think people love their grandkids so much.
A mother who inspires you and why: Eve, mother of mankind. She took the blame for the fall of mankind, It took Mary to redeem her by birthing the savior of the world. She had to watch him hang on the cross for people that didn’t deserve it. It’s kind of funny when I get that question. There are several women that inspire me because we are all are mothers, even if we don’t physically give birth to our own children. We are always looking after someone else’s. And, of course, my mommy. My mother had five children. She was a teacher, a wife, community organizer and attended night classes at the community college to get her paralegal certificate. She was an excellent cook, and she was so funny, kind, wise and so, so beautiful. Everyone just loved her.
Best piece of advice for a new mom: This is your best thing, your greatest gift! Live in the moment. It goes by so fast.
Your biggest hope for your children: I hope they have two wonderful children like I have. I also hope that they lead a fulfilling life and trust God on their journey.
How are you celebrating Mother’s Day? Surrounded by wonderful, beautiful, wise, loving women. We are all mothers.