Marilyn Oldani

Marilyn A. Oldani, 86, of Orange, Texas, peacefully passed away with her family by her side on November 20, 2022.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church at 4300 Meeks Drive in Orange. Officiating will be Father Sinclair Oubre, Father David Edwards, Father Tom Phelan, Father Ernie Carpio and Deacon Keith Hebert. Entombment will follow at St. Mary Mausoleum.

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., with a Vigil Service held at 7:00 p.m., Monday, November 28, 2022, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.

Born in Joliet, Illinois, on August 14, 1936, she was the daughter of Charles Buldak and Matilda “Tillie” Kolman Buldak. Marilyn attended Joliet St. Francis Academy and enjoyed being a thespian in the “Angels” drama club where she developed her sharp wit and honed a keen sense of humor. In addition to raising a family, she enjoyed a career as a staff member with the Internal Revenue Service, as a real estate agent with ERA, as well as an Office Manager for Valley Systems. In her later years, Marilyn enjoyed social time with others, being a member of the Red Hat Society and attending Young at Heart functions at her church. Marilyn was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Francis of Assisi Church who had service to both the Lord and others deep in her heart serving on St. Francis Women’s Altar Society, volunteering at St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen, and founding the Prayer Blanket Committee at St. Francis Church. She was a caring and giving person who deeply loved her husband, family, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Marilyn was loved and cherished by many and will be greatly missed by all those who were blessed to know her.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her ever-loving husband of 61 years, John “Jack” R. Oldani of Orange, Texas; parents Charles and Matilda Buldak of Joliet, Illinois; and cousin Dr. Joan Ferry DiGiulio of Youngstown, Ohio.

Marilyn is survived by her brother Robert Buldak and wife Diana; brother-in-law Wayne Wallin; children, Dan Oldani and wife Norma, Doug Oldani and wife Tammy, Amy Ousley and husband Steven, and Dave Oldani and wife Lisa; grandchildren, Amanda Oldani and fiancé Patrick Bryan, Danny Oldani and wife Mandi, Lauren Hall and husband Cameron, Carlea Jelley and husband Garrison, Abbey Oldani, John Oldani, Kaitlynn Brancato and husband Jason, Stephen Wade Ousley II, Mason Ousley and wife Morgan, Madison Ousley and partner Dylan Anthony, Skylar Oldani, Marissa Oldani, Nolan Denny, Jack Denny and partner Taylor Bentsen; along with great-grandchildren Berkley and Briggs Bryan, Benson, Beckett, Bayler, Boston, and Kole Oldani, Allison and Madison Hall, Hadley Ousley, Ava Bernard, and Shields Denny.

The family would like to express a special thank you to Vanessa Price for her loving caregiving and companionship, and to Sid and Wayne Lofton, Beth Holm, and Angie Vincent for their many years of endearing friendship.

Serving as pallbearers will be Danny Oldani, John Oldani, Nolan Denny, Jack Denny, Patrick Bryan, Cameron Hall, Garrison Jelley, Jason Brancato, and Mason Ousley.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the John R. & Marilyn Oldani Knights of Columbus Scholarship Fund at P.O. Box 356, Orange, Texas 77631.