Condolences

• December 07, 2020

  Nettie Angotti

  When you are a teen, there are those adults in your life, beyond your parents, that always makes you feel great. Both Mr and Mrs Oppold played that role. They were always kind, supportive and warm. I loved both of your parents very much. Ironically I became an Industrial Engineer like Dr Oppold, and then eventually became a teacher like Mrs. Oppold. I used to tease Paul that they liked me best...going into the family business helps with that regardless, I stand by my statement. But like typical teenagers we were in and out and they were patient being the place where we all hung out. Always welcoming...we spent many an evenings hanging out on the red shag carpeting. But when I grew up they were still a part of my life. The special gifts they sent my children when they were born are still among their most prized possessions. The last time I saw Mr and Mrs Oppold together was on W's inauguration day. It was raining and we were glad. I was so fortunate to be invited the Holden Beach. It was the highlight of our summer. We loved having this other family, this family we chose.... for fun, lively conversations and very competitive beach and board games. Mrs Oppold always made us feel not only welcomed but cherished. I take comfort in knowing they are together. They have raised amazing people who are in turn raising the next generation of amazing people. Their legacy will live on. Thank you to all the Oppolds for letting us be a part of your family. Nettie, Chris, Joey and Lily

• November 12, 2020

  Anne Healy

  Mom enjoyed a good laugh. When we were very young and lived in Iowa City, Mom and Dad would have parties. We learned to go to sleep with the sound of laughter emanating from the living room. Paul Healy says she had a good day the day she had her stroke. Jack wanted to move the liquor bottles from a shelf in the closet in Mom's room to somewhere more accessible (Jim says to keep her from dipping into it so much!). We were in the dining room putting the liquor into the cabinet. I said to Mom, "You know. We're lucky because Jack doesn't really drink that much." Mom quickly stated, "Well.... he's got you fooled!" Holden Beach was a highlight of her year from 1991 until 2020. All of the family and more made it each year with only occasional misses. It was the only time of year she got to see Jim, Julia, Natalie, Austin and Christine. We didn't do much but enjoy being together. Mom and Dad raised a competitive bunch of people. Croquet was somewhat intense and beating Nathan Healy was the goal. Mom would occasionally beat everyone and had a trophy made one year. In later years simply seeing everyone especially the great grandkids was a joy. I want her friends in Raleigh to know how much she did miss them. After Dad died they were so important in her life. She often said she wished she could be in Raleigh and see her friends. I find it incredible sometimes how God works in our lives. Mom had a rough time with her fractures in May 2019. She did recover enough to walk and moved to Brookdale in Raleigh. She wasn't a fan, but was able to see friends on occasion. Teresa was instrumental in caring for her so she could remain independent. When the Coronavirus hit the US, Paul had the foresight to move Mom in with him in Charlotte. In doing so she avoided the lockdown at Brookdale where no one was allowed in or out of the apartments. She was able to sit on the porch and watch Izzy and Joe come swimming in Paul's pool. Talk about Joy! Then she came to live with us in New Bern. We had recently redone the master bedroom downstairs. On the wall are pictures of Mom and Dad's family. She loved those pictures. In New Bern she had Paul, Phillip, and Jack to dote on her. They took great care of her seeing to her meals, helping her to walk outside, and joking with her. Joy! My mom taught me to be a strong, independent person. She taught me to love and laugh. She and Dad passed on their faith. What a good life she had. I take great comfort in thinking about her and Dad being together again. Anne Healy

• November 12, 2020

  Teresa Isaacson

  I do believe that my mom is in Heaven with my dad. I was taught by my parents that we are destined to be with the people love after we die. I believe that my Mom has shed all the worries and anxieties of life on earth. She is experiencing perfect happiness. For instance, I know that she is warm from head to toe. Being cold made her very uncomfortable and she was cold most of the time. And now, she will always be warm. If there is food in Heaven, she can eat all the ice cream she wants. Her hair will look great all the time. She will get a grand slam every time she plays bridge. And every activity she will get to do it with Papa. She will over all of us and she will be so happy to see us when we see her again. And with her final heart beat, She kissed the world goodbye. Go in peace, Mom And laugh on glory's side Fly to Jesus And live! Love, Teresa

• November 12, 2020

  Paul Oppold

  Nana was the matriarch of an ever expanding family and united us through her love and her sense of humor. With each addition to the family, Nana's joy increased and over the past several months she took particular pleasure in watching her great grandchildren play, whether in person or via Zoom. The highlight of the year for many of us was the annual family trip to Holden Beach, which she and Papa started almost 30 years ago. The size of the family kept expanding, and she and Papa simply kept renting bigger and bigger houses to accommodate family and friends. Part of what made the beach trips so enjoyable was the Nana was always part of every activity, whether it was playing cards, board games, the initials game, or croquet on the beach. And lest anyone think she was in it just for a participation trophy, Nana was always a viable competitor out to win, but always doing so with a joke and a smile. Of course, if she did win, we were likely to hear about for the rest of the week at the beach and well into the rest of the year. It's a trait she handed down to many members of the family. Nana also was a woman of faith and put her faith into action. She was an active participant for over 35 years at St. Raphael's Catholic Church, serving as a Eucharistic minister, a member of the Altar Guild, and taking communion to the sick. But her faith also led her to help those in need, applying the fundamental tenets of Christ's message in her life. As an educator, she understood the importance of early education in the lives of all children. While raising four young kids, she worked with a group of community organizers to start a day care center for underserved children in Gainseville, Florida. The work she started continues to this day. I was lucky enough to have Nana live with me from March to July of this year. We quickly developed a routine that while I worked from home mom sat at the kitchen table and poured over the daily newspapers. She was always interested in current events and was an advocate of social justice reforms. But mostly we spent time enjoying being with each other making meals, playing games, particularly Yahtzee, and watching murder mysteries on Netflix. She was always thrilled to have the other Charlotteans, Nathan, Anna, Izzy and Joe, come over to swim in the pool. Being with family was always the highlight of Nana's lifea life lived in love and faith. -Paul Oppold

• November 12, 2020

  Jim Oppold

  Mom, I know this letter to you will come as a surprise since my phone calls might not have been as timely as you had hoped. And while I am happy that you are now reunited with Dad and are in the presence of Jesus, the void you are leaving in my life will be impossible to fill. Some of the reasons: I won't get to hear the latest problems with the Republican party. I don't have you to test my jokes nor my other attempts at humor. You left before I could convince you to get a dog. I won't be able to make you feel warmer by telling you the current temperature in Indianapolis. I will miss how you celebrated your Oh Hell victories in front of your children, grandchildren, friends, acquaintences, and strangers while at the table in Holden Beach. But mostly, I'll miss knowing that the person who gave me my foundation, provided everything I could ever need, gave so much love to my wife and children, and who became the center of our Oppold family will not be answering my next phone call. Love, Jimmy