Donna Oman

Donna M. Oman, 86, died peacefully at her Long Beach residence on May 19, 2008. Born July 25, 1921 in Warrenton, Oregon, she was the youngest child of Leonard and Sue (Manely) Gabriel. When Donna was 1 year old her father moved the family to Tatoosh Island, Washington where he was a lighthouse keeper for a year. He was then transferred to Ilwaco to become keeper at North Head Lighthouse. Donna spent the following 17 years on the Peninsula attending Ilwaco grade school and graduating from Ilwaco High School in 1939. During her high school years she worked as Millie's Diner, operated by her sister Mildred. Following a year of business school in Portland, Donna returned to the beach where she worked as National Bank of Commerce in Ilwaco and the U.S. Weather Bureau at North Head. On March 22, 1942 she married her high school sweetheart, Roy Oman of Long Beach. Donna was a very independent person. Her husband served in the US Coast Guard and Donna traveled by car to meet him wherever he was stationed. She took a train to New York by herself where she and Roy lived the first year of their marriage and Donna worked in Brooklyn. When Roy was transferred Hawaii, Donna returned to the northwest where she lived and worked in Seattle. Following the war Donna and Roy returned to the Peninsula where they raised their 7 children. In 1952 Roy began Oman and Son building supply with Donna at his side and she worked with him until their retirement. Donna was a lifelong member of Saint's Mary's Parish in Seaview. In 1989 she made a pilgrimage to Medugorge, Yugoslavia led by Father Ross Fewing. She and Roy were also fortunate to travel the world with family and close friends. Summers were always special with lots of relatives coming to visit the beach for picnics and clamming. Donna enjoyed creating beautiful needlepoint pieces, playing bridge and walking the boardwalk. Her most beloved time was spent with her husband and family. Donna is survived by her sister Mildred Heckman of Seattle Children: (sons) Stephen Oman, Long Beach: Roy and Kimberley Oman, Norman, Oklahoma (daughters) Milli Oman, Long Beach; Gabrielle and Greg Blain of Naselle; Beth and Ed Triplett of South Bend; Kathie and John Gonzales of Toledo; Grandchildren Steve Oman, Mark Oman, Anna Oman, Jon Hickman Cory Morisette, Daniel Oman, Donna Blain, Matt Blain, Chris Ostgaard, Kamryn Oman, Jackson Oman, Mandy Biggs, Hollie Coleman, Elizabeth Gonzales, Johnny Gonzales III, and Isabella Gonzales; Great-Grandchildren Kyle Oman, Hunter Blain, Taylor Ostgaard. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Roy, son Fred Oman, brother Bill Gabriel and daughter-in-law Joanne Oman. Recitation of the Rosary will be held Monday, June 2, 2008, 6:00 PM at Saint Mary's Parish in Seaview, Washington. Funeral mass will be celebrated at Saint Mary's on Tuesday, June 3, 2008 at 1:00 PM. Memorials may be made in her memory to Pacific Aging Council Endeavors, Harbors Home Health or the Peninsula Boys & Girls Club in care of Penttila's Chapel by The Sea. PO Box 417, Long Beach, WA 98631. Share a special memory of Donna at www.penttilaschapel.com.