Dr. Oslin,
I thank you for your light, your love, and your guidance. You were my first therapist, and this year marks 10 years on my journey in therapy. Your support was the beginning of it all.
Rest in peace. Your impact lives on.

Dear Scott, Geoffrey and Family,
I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of your beloved mom.  I hold many fond memories of our time together.  We met during my doctoral internship in 1988, when she served as my clinical supervisor, and we worked together for nearly 30 years. Over the course of her 40+ career at UMD, she counseled, trained and supervised thousands of students.   Yvonne was a brilliant, respected, highly sought-after, compassionate therapist and supervisor, with a gift for growing and healing people with fragmented souls.   She was an amazing human being and blessing to me and all who came to know her. I am forever grateful for her support and guidance over the years. 
You are lifted in my thoughts and prayers. May your mom rest in eternal peace.  
With deepest sympathy,
Sharon Kirkland-Gordon

Scott, Geoffrey, grandchildren, and other family my heart goes out to you as you grieve the loss of such an incredible woman who loved each of you dearly. Yvonne was more than a dear friend; she was a big sister. The first time she visited our home in Birmingham I recognized that she was as beautiful on the inside as the outside. I have fond memories of spending weekends in her dorm at Emory and at her home with her mother, Nana and Aunt Lois. I will always be grateful she welcomed me with open arms, compassion, and tough love when I moved in with her while looking for a job in Atlanta.  She was my biggest cheerleader when I began my 39 year career with CDC.  We had the privilege and pleasure of being bridesmaids in each other’s wedding.  Several years ago, I was happy to shower her with love and gratitude as we spent 3 wonderful days catching up, reflecting, eating, shopping, attending her church, introducing her to vegan life, and dancing in our hotel room to Motown sounds.  Beyond Yvonne's academic and professional achievements, she was loyal, warm, caring, charming, generous, and tenacious. Indeed she was a Phenomenal Woman! Family, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers as God comforts your heart and overshadows you with His peace.

In 1996, I  walked into Yvonne's office at the UMD Counseling Center, scared and shaking. She did my intake form. with an impassive face and no reaction to my dramatic whisper: " I need help!"  She continued to see me for 5 1/2 years! Even when I didn't like her truth bombs,  I kept going to see her. At first I hated her- and then grew to love and appreciate Yvonne with all my heart.  In the beginning, she said we'd  deal with  trauma later; I just had to keep on moving and get  through college. But she was an expert at trauma, and knew exactly when to bend boundaries and when to hold fast to them.  She wrote to all my professors each semester, before ADA  was a thing, telling them I had  PTSD and asking  to give me accommodations for assignments and exams.  She also frequently reminded me to put both feet on the ground firmly, to walk upright,  to wipe silly grins off my face, and that I had purpose, worth, and meaning. Some of her gems were: “little girls who play with fire get burned!”  "That's not funny, young lady." (with a twinkle in her eye.) “Do I need to explain your culture to you? AGAIN?” “I’m from the South, trust me. I know what drama means." "Butter couldn't melt in my mouth oh my my. my.”  "I know you. I taught you better. And you are going to be fine.”  “Someday you’ll buy me a Maserati, won't you?”  Every  time I told her I loved her she would laugh and say “you got good taste, I mean, what can I say?” and give me a hug. After I graduated, she kept a picture of me in her office and bragged about me to everyone in the hallways when I visited. "This is my dear daughter of the heart. I have two sons but this my girl. Do you see how successful and lovely she is?" My last communication was a couple of years ago with Yvonne on text. I knew she was sick and really hoped I would be able to see her and am crushed I couldn't.  I'm everything I am because she loved me. Thank you Yvonne, mother of my heart,  May you sing with the angels in Heaven. I love you.

I am so sorry for your loss. Yvonne was the psychologist who interviewed me for my doctoral internship and my yearlong primary supervisor at the University of Maryland Counseling Center. One of the primary reasons why I ended up ranking our internship program #1 was because I felt so connected with her during the interview. Yvonne also invited me to present my trauma work at a symposium that she chaired and organized at an American Psychological Association Annual Convention. She was a brilliant therapist, caring supervisor, and compassionate mentor. I will miss her smiles, sense of humor, and words of wisdom.

With deepest condolences,
Yu-Wei Wang

OBITUARY

Yvonne Delores Oslin

April 8, 1946 – June 12, 2025

Demaine Funeral Home

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