Mary Elizabeth Van Orman

Mary Elizabeth Chandler Van Orman, age 97, wife of the late Colonel E.G. Van Orman of the United Sates Marine Corps, died July 2, 2011 at Knollwood an Army Retirement Residence in the District of Columbia. Mrs. Van Orman was a resident of Alexandria and Washington, DC since 1955.

Mrs. Van Orman was born in Lake Forest, IL on June 3, 1914 and reared in Chicago. After graduating from the Chicago Teacher’s College, the University of Illinois, she began her teaching career in Chicago in 1936. Later she received a Master’s degree from and the University of Northern Colorado. She also taught in California, Virginia and Taiwan.

After marrying Col. Van Orman in La Jolla, CA in 1938, she accompanied him to Marine Corps and Navy Posts in California, North Carolina, Kansas, Virginia and Taiwan.

She was a member of the DAR; Daughters of Founders and Patriots; New England Women; Colonial Dames; Alexandria Salvation Army Auxiliary; and the Retired Teachers Association of Chicago. She and her late husband were founding members of the St. Andrew and St. Margaret of Scotland Anglican Catholic Church in Alexandria, VA.

She is survived by a son, Chandler Lee Van Orman of Washington, DC, a daughter, Bethany Prendergast of Orlando, FL, two grand daughters, Dr. Bethany Gardiner of Provo, UT and Robin Azqueta of West Palm Beach, FL. Mrs. Van Orman also has 6 great grandchildren.

A Celebration of her life will be held on Thursday, July 14th at 10:30am at the chapel of Knollwood, 6200 Oregon Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20015.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Army Distaff Foundation, 6200 Oregon Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20015.