Mary Jane Oliva

Mary Jane Oliva - Passed away on Saturday morning, November 8, 2008 surrounded by her three daughters and their families. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Domenic in 1975. She is survived by her children, Maureen (Paul) Nelson, Aedan (Michael) Haworth, Dione (Peter) Rochelle-Medeiros and Sheryl Benesch, who was like a daughter to her, grandchildren Willow (Shawn) Roy, Ashley and Ben Nelson, Jordan and Lily Medeiros and great-grandchildren Keely and Siena Roy, nephew Tim Philbin, who was like a son to her, and her dear friend, Tima. Friends and family are invited to attend the Rosary, Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 6:00 PM at the PARENT-SORENSEN MORTUARY & CREMATORY, 850 Keokuk St., Petaluma. A Memorial Mass will be held on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 4:00 PM at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 35 Liberty St., Petaluma. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Memorial Hospice, 821 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95401 or St. Vincent's Elementary School Campus Fund, 35 Liberty St., Petaluma, CA 94952. Private Inurnment. Mary Jane was born in New York City on January 14, 1921. She graduated from Queens College in 1943 with a degree in Music. Graduate work at New York University garnered her a position with Pan American Airways at La Guardia Airport, as a radio operator and technician. At the time, she was the first woman in Pan Am's Atlantic Division to earn two radio licenses. MJ was independent, spirited, and was undeterred by the societal limitations placed on women of her era.