One of the most cultured women in Bessarabia was Olga Catargi (15.03.1850 – 4.09.1917), recognized in her time as a landowner and a generous philanthropist. She was the daughter of Stolnic Nicolae Catargi, who, in 1874, arranged her marriage to her cousin Ion Catargi, a graduate of the Petersburg Law College (1881 – 1896). Ion Catargi served as the Marshal of the Nobility of Bessarabia from 1881 to 1897.

The family educated two notable sons: Mihail (24.VII.1878, Chișinău – 3.II.1958, Bucharest, Bellu), a philosopher and diplomat, and Victor (22.XII.1882, Odessa – 22.X.1938, Chișinău, Rascanu Cemetery), an officer and senator in the Romanian Senate.

Although primarily self-taught, Olga Catargi was a passionate researcher of national history. Her mansion in Cobâlnea, jud. Soroca (now in the r-nul Șoldănești), housed numerous precious artifacts.

Her Chișinău residence (currently at 106 Columna Street) hosted distinguished guests such as Emperor Alexander II, Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich, and various political and cultural personalities of the Romanian Principalities, including George Filipescu, Marshal of the Royal Court, General George Catargi, Catinca Ghika (born Balș), scholar Radu Rosetti, and Gheorghe Ghibănescu, among others. When in Bucharest or Sinaia, she was received by her friend, Queen Elizabeth, known in literature as Carmen Sylva.

Historian Gheorghe Bezviconi, who delved into the cultural heritage of the Catargi family, noted that the mansion in Cobâlnea housed one of the most beautiful libraries in former Bessarabia, along with a precious family archive partially published in 1914 in Iasi.

Olga Catargi founded several churches, acted as an honorary patron for educational and philanthropic institutions, and advocated for the promotion of Romanian education. Testimony to her efforts can be found in the words of Sorocan writer Dimitrie Iov, who spoke of her influence in promoting the Romanian language and her role in bringing a Moldovan teacher to Cobâlnea.

After the Union of 27 March 1918, the cultural hostel in Cobâlnea was named Olga Catargi in her honor. She is also featured in the novel “Around the Revolution” by C. Stere as Paulina Andreevna Cazara.