Posted on 12/11/2018
Mariella Barron Oliver of Annapolis passed away on November 24th at the age of 89. A native of New Jersey and graduate of Hood College in Frederick, MD, she was married to Captain James D. Oliver, Jr. for 55 years before his death in 2006. Mariella was commissioned an Ensign out of "WAVE Class #4" in 1950, one of the first groups of women admitted to the Unrestricted Line of the U.S. Navy, and served on active duty for 3 years. A dedicated Navy wife who loved travel, she moved the Oliver family all over the world including Spain, London, Hawaii, San Diego, Charleston, and Washington DC. Living in Annapolis both from 1955 to 1957, and again from 1973 until her death, Mariella loved Navy Baseball and Navy Football. Her home was always brightly decorated with a Naval Academy theme. She enjoyed golf, bridge, and entertaining friends. Mariella is survived by her daughter, Marijo Oliver Heyworth (Lawrence Heyworth) of Annapolis, her son Captain James D. Oliver III (Jean MacLeay) of Virginia Beach, VA, and by five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She will be buried with her husband Jim at the Naval Academy Columbarium in a private family ceremony.
Published in The Capital Gazette on Dec. 11, 2018