By Bruce Barton

Los Altos resident Yvonne Olson talked of the strong support her son, Ted, the U.S. Solicitor General, received from friends and family following the death of his wife, Barbara, in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Barbara Olson, a former congressional investigator, author and CNN commentator, was on American Airlines Flight 77 that crashed into the Pentagon. She managed to call her husband twice before the crash, describing her captors and noting that passengers were being herded to the back of the plane. Ted told Barbara about two planes that had already hit the World Trade Center in New York.

Yvonne traveled to Washington, D.C., on Sept. 14 for a weekend visit to pay her respects. She said about 200 people gathered for a “celebration of Barbara’s life” that Saturday at Ted Olson’s home, followed by a church service Sunday.

“She enjoyed life, she enjoyed challenge,” Yvonne said of Barbara. Recalling the heated debates Barbara Olson, a conservative, engaged in on CNN, Yvonne noted Barbara “never lost her temper or composure. She was never mean to anybody.”

Barbara Olson, who, along with Ted, investigated the Clintons for a variety of wrongdoings, authored two books about her findings, the latest, “The Final Days,” dealing with allegations that the Clintons engaged in pardons of cronies and outright theft of White House items.

Yvonne, a resident of Los Altos since 1955, said, “Everybody was very, very supportive and sympathetic. (Ted) has incredible friends. Fortunately, we were able to get all the family back there.”

Ted was in the first graduating class from Los Altos High School, in 1958. A successful lawyer, he was in the spotlight following the 2000 presidential election debate, representing the Bush camp in court. Bush awarded Ted Olson the U.S. solicitor general nomination. After contentious debate, the Senate confirmed Olson, who was sworn in in July.

As solicitor general, Ted Olson represents the federal government in cases going before the U.S. Supreme Court.

“He’s going to make a wonderful solicitor general,” Yvonne said.