Maryellen Haesloop Oman
September 3, 1946 ~ November 17, 2019
Maryellen Haesloop Oman, 73, of Fredericksburg passed away on Sunday, November 17, 2019 in Reston, VA. Maryellen was born September 3, 1946 in Washington, DC, grew up in Maryland and graduated from Chatham College, Pittsburgh.
She loved music and was an advocate for the environment working several years with Sierra Club, Alaska. She is survived by sisters, Betty Lee of Chester, MD and Diane Sheldon of Herndon, VA, two step-children, Anne Oman of Richmond, VA and Andrew Oman (Elizabeth) of Fairfax, VA as well as five step-grandchildren and five nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Richard J. Oman and parents, Donald C. and Betty V. Haesloop.
A Memorial service will take place at 1 pm on Saturday, December 14, 2019 at Reston Bible Church, 45650 Oakbrook Ct., Dulles, VA 20166.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Sierra Club Alaska.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Maryellen’s passion for music, theatre, the National Zoo and the beloved pandas, environmental causes (she demonstrated at the White House with Mark Ruffalo) and her love of Alaska’s chapter of the Sierra Club were so dear to her.
We first met Maryellen when we went to the Stewart/Colbert rally on the Mall shortly after she returned to the DC area after her and Richard’s sojourn in Alaska. It was the beginning of a lovely friendship. How fortunate for us as we shared excursions to the Arena Stage and other lovely social events in the area.
Maryellen was one of the kindest people we have ever been privileged to have in our lives. And, she was generous to a fault (that’s a fault?). She took wonderful care of her Richard and she nurtured her beloved cat, Casey.
We will miss her terribly but feel that our lives have been greatly enriched by having had her in our lives.
Rest well dear friend. We miss you already.
I had the honor and pleasure of working with Maryellen at the Sierra Club in Alaska. We had the opportunity to travel together from time to time. One of my favorite memories is of Maryellen winning a bird-calling contest at the Cordova Shorebird Festival with her spot-on Chickadee call. Another memory is riding a boat with her down the Yukon River during a trip we took to support the Gwich’in people and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Maryellen was so passionate about Alaska and was steadfastly devoted to the Alaska Sierra Club Chapter and our many volunteers. She held wonderful parties and gatherings at her house. We missed her when she and Richard left Alaska. I know she is singing over his shoulder in heaven today. God be with them and her family during this time of loss. Much Love, Betsy Beardsley