Doris Greenleaf Oller's Obituary
Doris G. Oller passed away on March 20, 2025 in Potomac Falls, VA. Doris was born in 1925 in Lancaster, PA and grew up in nearby Mountville. She was the daughter of Dr. Arthur Greenleaf and Kathryn Seitz Greenleaf. Doris attended McCaskey High School in Lancaster and Wilson College in Chambersburg, PA where she graduated with a B.A. in Political Science.
In 1947 she married Ensign William (Bill) Oller of Lancaster and spent the next 30 years traveling the world with her growing family as a Navy wife, including tours of duty in the Philippines, Pago Pago Samoa, Naples Italy and numerous stateside locations. During this time, she pursued advanced education, culminating in a teaching position in elementary education.
After Bill’s retirement from the Navy they moved to Texas where she pursued two of her favorite pastimes, tennis and golf, loving the challenge of the sports and winning many trophies at the local clubs. She also became an enthusiastic fan of the local Texas professional sports teams, cheering the local teams on like she had growing up in Pennsylvania. During these years, the Oller family was growing. Doris loved spending time with her 5 grandchildren. She always enthusiastically celebrated their birthdays, graduations, and weddings. When they were young, the teacher in Doris was very present as she planned fun activities and scrumptious meals when they came to visit. Her pride and joy was contagious in these moments.
In 1996 she and Bill moved to Falcons Landing retirement community. They were among the first wave of retirees to populate the new community. From the start she and Bill were highly active in community life. Doris developed an extensive activities program and she and Bill led both the 5th and 10th Falcons Landing Anniversary celebrations. Doris also pursued her artistic bent, becoming a prolific watercolor painter and directing annual musical reviews by fellow residents. Her love of music never dimmed, even in her 80s and 90s she was a regular participant in musical events, keeping the beat with her hands, smiling and singing along. She and Bill also loved to travel to new places, always returning with souvenirs for the family or with purchases of artwork or furnishings to enhance their remarkable home décor collection, assembled from overseas duty assignments.
She will be remembered for her kindness, empathy, sense of humor, boundless energy and generosity. She was a constant source of inspiration to those around her in her ability to organize and lead many different undertakings and adventures with both friends and family. She was always the picture of easy elegance, with a seemingly effortless sense of style in her colorful dress, her manner, and her approach to everyone, yet always turning the spotlight on those around her, making all feel comfortable, happy, and appreciated. Doris, our mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and great grandmother, and friend, will be missed by all who knew her. We cherish the memory of her big smile, hearty laugh, and beautiful blue eyes.
Doris is predeceased by her beloved husband Bill (Rear Admiral, Retired) and son William (Billy) Jr. She is survived by her two sons: Arthur (Captain, USN, Retired), his wife Lee, their children Sophia (husband Scott and daughter Lou), Devin (wife Katherine, son Ennis and daughter Clementine) and Scott (wife Megan and son William); and Richard, his wife Sean-Marie, and their children Olivia (husband Eric, son Waylon and daughter June) and Jackson. She is also survived by her brother John Greenleaf and his children and grandchildren.
Doris will be interred privately at Arlington National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The American Cancer Society, a favorite charity of Doris and Bill's.
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