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Mary Oliver Obituary
Knoxville, TN
Mary Louise Pielemeier Oliver, 85, of Knoxville, Tennessee, passed away Thursday, January 5, 2017, after a long illness. She was born February 13, 1931, in State College, Pennsylvania and was married to Professor Ben F. Oliver for 51 years. They met in Mary's father's physics class as students at Penn State University, where Mary earned a Masters degree in Mathematics and Ben his Doctorate in Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering. Living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Mary was head of the math department, director of scheduling, and taught math at the Ellis School, while Ben was a research scientist for US Steel. After relocating to Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1968, Mary taught briefly at the University of Tennessee and Webb School. She served a number of years as Director at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, as well as founding an independent preschool inside the church. Laurel High School was the third independent school Mary help found. She served as principal and taught math and science classes at Laurel. The school ran until 2012. Mary was also an accomplished flute player and pianist.
She is survived by three children, Valia Oliver Jackson, Warren Carl Oliver and Daniel Benjamin Oliver; three granddaughters, Becky, Chelsea and Adrienne; three grandsons, Sam, Daniel and Clancy; sister, Ruth Bond; many extended family members and friends.
A Memorial Service will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Mary's honor to Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, 2931 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Arrangements by Cremation Options, Inc. (865)6WE-CARE (693-2273) www.cremationoptionsinc.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mary Oliver
Sponsored by Cremation Options, Inc..
6 Entries
Mary Jane Harlan
January 16, 2024
This came up in an email on a snowy day here in Tennessee- really wonderful to recall one of the truly unforgettable women I have known in my life !
Aura Wright
June 6, 2017
Thank you Mary. From where i stood, you began changing countless lives the day we met because you welcomed Laurel School under the umbrella of the school you had chartered. From that point on, for most of 40 years, you were the hallmark principal, guiding light, and treasured teacher to whom any student could go to and receive the support, encouragement, and guidance they needed most. Your beliefs and views on education and the programs you provided were worthy, in my humble opinion, of international recognition and awards. As so many many others, i will be forever grateful our paths crossed on that sunny day. Barbara Eley aka Aura Wright
Everette Lyde
February 15, 2017
Condolences from Amelia and I. We are so sorry for your loss.
Mary Jane Spence Harlan
January 30, 2017
What a great lady and the most gracious and fierce role model-when in a moral dilemma we should all ask WWMOD(what would Mary Oliver do?)
Chris McHone
January 30, 2017
Rest in Peace Mary. Your voice is in my head always. I love you. I will miss you forever.
Chris (Green) McHone
January 30, 2017
This saddens my heart so much. This wonderful woman was my second mother. I attended Laurel because I didnt fit in to other public schools. She saw this right away. Even in my very rebelious years, she met my defiance with kindness and understanding and love. She could be stern, but there was always love and tolerance. I learned so much my many years there. She created a family for me. I have missed her over the years, and I will NEVER forget her. Just remember, it's not nice to fool Mary Oliver. I love you Mary. Rest in Peace as your advice and words still resonate in every child you taught, especially in me. I will miss you forever.Chris (Green) McHone
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