Roseanne M. Olsen

Roseanne Marie Olsen, 82, passed away peacefully of natural causes in the early morning hours of Thursday, July 23, at Josie Harper Hospice House in Omaha.

She was preceded in death by her brothers Dave, Jim, and Dan Hyslop and sisters Anita Hyslop and Jane Markel as well as her daughter Melanie Privitera and former husband Jim Privitera.

Born in Omaha in 1944, she was the daughter of the late Mark and Grace (O’Hollaren) Hyslop whose family had been established in Omaha for many years. Mark was an entrepreneur and member of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. When he passed away, Grace became the first female member when she took his seat.

Roseanne graduated from Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart, a Catholic girl’s high school in Omaha, and obtained an undergraduate degree in psychology, sociology, and philosophy from Creighton University. She earned her master’s degree in neuropsychology from the University of Pennsylvania along with her mother as they were in the same graduate program and later a second master’s degree in counseling from Creighton University.

She was an impassioned agent of change committed to serving the needs of others in various capacities throughout her life. She championed tougher laws against drunk driving as the Colorado state chair of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and received an Emmy award for producing an impactful series of televised public service announcements.

As a licensed therapist, she was most proud of her work to support women in crisis and help others recover from the family disease of alcoholism through service and mentoring. She did extensive volunteer work with Catholic Charities and was a devoted Catholic.

She was a voracious reader and movie goer whose favorite pastime was enjoying the company of her children, grandchildren, and close friends preferably while sharing a fresh pastry.

She is survived by five of her six children, Deborah (Matthew) Kilroe; Mark Privitera; Dan Privitera: Tim (Lexie) Privitera and children Brendan, Edward, and Walter: and Sean (Nicole) Privitera and daughter Isabella. Also surviving are her cousin Mary (Maus) Berman, her husband Henry, and daughter Margaret as well as twelve nieces, nephews, and their families: Dan Hyslop: Dave Hyslop; Terry Hyslop; Tim Hyslop; Annie Hyslop; Katie Bixby; Joy Werka; Steve Markel; Tom Markel; Kim Herman; Maureen McCarthy; and Mary Jane Markel.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 31 at the Chapel at New Cassel Retirement Center at 900 North 90th Street in Omaha. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 30 at Roeder Mortuary’s 108th Street Chapel with a Rosary starting at 7 p.m. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities. Special thanks to the staff at the Good Samaritan Society and New Cassel.

Roeder Mortuary, Inc. - 108th Street Chapel - 2727 N. 108th Street - Omaha, NE - 402-496-9000

www.RoederMortuary.com