Harriet S. Oman
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Harriet Stevens Oman (Bollman) died Thursday, March 4, 2021 at Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital in Lebanon, NH. Born in Meriden, CT on April 9, 1930, she was the daughter of Mark Brooks Bollman, Sr. and Esther Stevens Bollman. After graduating from Meriden High School, Harriet earned her BA at Wheaton College in Norton, MA. Harriet remained active in her alumni association and served as Class of 1951 Secretary. She went on to earn a Master's degree and 6th year certificate from Southern Connecticut State Teachers' College/University.
While at Wheaton College, "Harri" met her future husband Carl Robert Oman. They married in August 1951 and went on to celebrate 63 years of marriage. Harriet and Bob spent several years in North Attleboro, MA before returning to Meriden, where Harriet began a thirty-year career with the Meriden Public Schools, teaching third grade at Eli Whitney and then Casimir Pulaski Elementary School. She was active in her school community as both a teacher leader and mentor.
Upon retiring, Harriet and Bob moved to Strafford, Vermont where "Happy Days Hill" served as the gathering place for family and friends. Large reunions took place each 4th of July, that always included participation in the road race, attending the community parade, and partaking in the firemen's barbecue. The evening was filled with barn night, a talent show of sorts run by her 10 grandchildren, whose annual highlight was a rousing rendition of God Bless America accompanied by Harriet playing the spoons in her Betsy Ross dress. There were many happy days on that Strafford hill.
In 2009 Bob and Harriet relocated to The Woodlands, in Lebanon, NH. Harriet was very active in the Woodlands community and volunteered to serve as President of the Residents' Association for multiple terms. She greatly enjoyed her time there and her regular gatherings with the "breakfast club" and her "six pack." She was most recently a member of the First Congregational Church in Lebanon, NH.
Harriet is predeceased by her loving husband, Bob, her daughter Darcy Oman (Dzura), and her brother, Mark Bollman, Jr.
She is survived by her children Philip Scott Oman and his wife Mary Jean, Nancy Beach Gardner and her husband Johnny, Peter Sargent Oman and his wife Maureen, Susan Oman Moore and her husband Thomas, and her son in law, Gerald Dzura; 14 grandchildren: Jessie, Ana (Steve), Natasha, Tori (Ben), Philip (Megan), Robert, Brett, Randy, Ricky, Alex (Susan), Hannah, Jack, Katie and Johnathon; and four great grandchildren: Calvin, Tess, Aiden, and Aiden; Her sisters-in-law Barbara Bollman and Jane Sargent, as well as several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service and celebration of Harriet's life will be scheduled at a later date. Should friends desire, contributions in Harriet's memory may be made to Project Excel in Meriden, CT projectexcelmeriden.org/donate, or the Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital www.alicepeckday.org/about/support/
A private message of sympathy for the family can be shared at www.boardwayandcilley.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Boardway & Cilley Funeral Home in Chelsea, VT.