OBITUARY: Olga Roman Lloyd passed away at her home in Vienna, VA on March 23, 2023. One of nine children born to Barbara and John Roman, she grew up in East Conemaugh, PA, a small town three miles northeast of Johnstown.

Her memories of childhood are happy ones. As kids did back then, she played outdoors all day—jumping rope, playing Red Rover, Kick the Can, softball, and other games. The artistic talent she displayed from an early age led people to ask that she draw their portraits. After graduating from East Conemaugh High School, she looked forward to pursuing a career in either fine arts or nursing.

Olga obtained her RN training from Saint Francis Hospital School of Nursing in Pittsburgh in 1951 and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1954 with a BS degree in Nursing Education. She and John (Jack) S. Lloyd, Jr. met at “Pitt” while pursuing their degrees. They married in 1954, and lovingly raised six children: Barbara Lloyd Kessinger, Kathryn Lloyd, John S. Lloyd III, Therese Lloyd, Ross Thompson, and Paul Thompson.

Prior to starting a family, Olga taught psychiatric nursing. She later worked as a private nurse with the elderly and those approaching end of life.

Olga was a founding member of both St. Mark Catholic Church in Vienna, VA, and the church’s Art Committee, which she chaired from 1973–75. Her involvement in Church life included roles as Lector, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, Liturgy Facilitator and Coordinator, and Religious Education Teacher. Through the years, she taught many liturgical art workshops in Virginia and Maryland.

Olga poured and decorated St. Mark’s Paschal candles for 45 years, each candle a different artistic design. She also made St. Mark’s Pentecost, Advent, and Christmas candles annually and provided Paschal candles to five other local Catholic Churches for two decades. Several priests wore chasubles sewn by Olga. Her service to St. Mark brought her joy and creative fulfillment, and she hopes it brought happiness to others.

In addition to her artistic endeavors, Olga enjoyed reading biographies and Donna Leon mysteries. Her dogged approach to crossword puzzles was legendary and drew in other family members. She delighted in meeting people from all walks of life. Friends and family can attest that she listened with great focus and empathy, offering unconditional support, remembering the details of each conversation, and following up.

Alongside husband Jack, Olga inspired a sense of adventure and wonder during family cross-country road trips in a Ford Econoline van to Alaska (twice), New England, British Columbia (twice), and Florida. When daughters Barbara and Kathy started to play softball, Olga provided logistical and scorekeeping support to Jack as he managed teams for the Vienna Pigtail/Ponytail League and never missed a game. She even monogrammed player names on the uniforms. With similar dedication, she and Jack supported the family’s musical, swimming, football, and traveling soccer activities, and she got a kick out of planning monthly luncheons for her water aerobics group.

Olga sought out community theater productions, and she and Jack attended local high school musicals whenever they could. She passed on her love of the ocean, especially the Delaware beaches, by arranging family beach vacations and gamely getting back up on her feet when she tumbled in the waves.

She is survived by her beloved and devoted husband of 68 years Jack; daughters Barbara, Kathryn (Kerwin), son John, daughter Therese; grandchildren Ross Thompson, Paul Thompson (Jen), Ruth Kessinger, Richard Kessinger, Roland Kessinger, Rachel Kessinger, Rudy Kessinger, Robert Kessinger, Zoe Dobbs, and Kiera Dobbs; step grandchildren Corissa Herring and Michael Webster; cousin Margaret Geier; sister-in-law Pat Fordham; and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Mark Catholic Church, 9970 Vale Rd, Vienna, VA on Tuesday, April 18 at 11 a.m. followed by an inurnment at the Parish Memorial Garden and a reception. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Olga’s name to St. Mark Catholic Church.