Olga Boeckle, Middletown's First Female Mayor, Dies at 91

Middletown's first woman mayor, Olga Boeckle died Thursday, Sept 13, at age 91.

Originally from Queens, NY, Boeckle graduated from Jamaica High School in 1930.

She worked in Manhattan for three years before being hired by Pan Am in 1943. Pan Am, she had told many, gave her the incentive to be outgoing and to speak with publicly on any given subject.

Boeckle came to Middletown after meeting and marrying her husband Ray, a custom homes builder. They owned and operated Sleepy Hollow Horse Farm in Middletown for 43 years.

While serving as a secretary for the former Red Bank Register, Boeckle attended Columbia University, NY, to learn how to run a newspaper library, after which she became the Register's librarian for 15 years before retiring in 1983.

In 1984, Olga was elected to the Middletown Township Committee; and, after serving one year, she was chosen to be the township's first female mayor by her fellow committee members, a distinction for which she was very proud.

St. Gerard Guilds of America later named Boeckle "Women of The Year" at its 102nd Anniversary Dinner.

She was often quoted as saying "The best man for the job is often a woman."

During her retirement, Boeckle ran the Bayshore Visitor's Center at Airport Plaza, Hazlet, and enjoyed introducing people to the gems of the Bayshore area she called home.

In the volunteer realm, Boeckle was a member of the Middletown Area Chamber of Commerce and was a recipient of its Golden Beacon Award.

She was a volunteer for Fairview First Aid Ladies Auxiliary, Deborah Hospital, Middletown Historical Society and People to People International.

Olga was a library volunteer in Fairview School.

Not only was Olga dedicated to serving her community, her pride and joy was beautiful Sleepy Hollow Horse Farm, and her loving family.

She was always known for grabbing the camera and taking pictures at the worst possible times and speaking out to support a cause at many a public meeting.

Olga was predeceased by her husband, Raymond Boeckel, her parents John and Mary Koman, her daughter in law Isabella Wagner.

She is survived by her sister Kay Russo of Arkansas.

Her three sons, John Wagner of Toms River, Raymond Boeckel and his wife Barbara of Brick, and Chris Boeckel and his wife Ana of Matawan.

Her four grandchildren are Laura Ciufia and her husband Andrew of Oibe Beach, Brian Boeckel of Brick, Tim Boeckel of Brick, Cristina Boeckel of Matawan, and her great granddaughter Jennifer Ciufia of Pine Beach.

Visitation will be Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at The Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St., Red Bank, followed by a Mass of Christian burial on Thursday 10 a.m. at St. James Church, Broad Street, Red Bank.

Donations may be made in Boeckle's name to the Fairview First Aid Squad or Middletown Fire Co. No. 1.