Oriole Rhona McLean

Oriole Rhona McLean, age 93, of Oceanside, California passed away on Wednesday, September 6, 2023. Oriole was born Oriole Robinson in Bristol, England on January 18, 1930. Oriole had a pleasant childhood growing up in Bristol with her siblings Arthur, Franklin, Esme, and David. She was especially close to Esme. Unfortunately, the start of World War II would forever change their lives. Their house was bombed by the Luftwaffe during the Bristol Blitz and the family had to split up with Oriole and Esme getting shipped off to the country to live with their Aunt Frances, albeit she was kind to the children. Oriole went on to boarding school where she excelled academically and in sports where she especially enjoyed field hockey. It was known that Oriole always wanted to be a nurse as she would often go to the hospital just to walk around. Not surprisingly, Oriole then attended Radcliffe Hospital School of Nursing in Oxford, England where she graduated with her nursing degree. As part of her training, she worked in Scotland and then afterwards Oriole was a nurse in her hometown of Bristol where she met Arthur McLean. Oriole married Arthur in 1952 and had two children, Mark and Peter. Mark was born on April 3, 1954, and Peter was born on March 8, 1955. Oriole was busy raising Mark and Peter in England until immigrating to Toronto, Canada in 1957 and subsequently immigrating to South Bend, Indiana in 1959. In 1962 the McLeans moved to the Detroit, Michigan suburb of Livonia where Oriole again continued her nursing and hospital career at Botsford General Hospital. In 1968 the McLeans moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where Oriole began a successful career as a Nurse Recruiter for the University of Michigan Hospital where she was highly recognized for her dedication to the nursing profession and to the University of Michigan. “She is always cheerful, kind, considerate and willing to assist anyone in need” a colleague said of her. Oriole retired from the University of Michigan Hospital in 1988. Oriole and Arthur then moved to Tucson, AZ and then after a few years settled in Oceanside, California in 1997 where they found their Christian home of St. Michaels’s by-the-Sea. While in Oceanside Oriole continued to serve including her leadership in the TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) organization, Daughters of the King as well as enjoying fellowship with other St. Michael’s members through programs like the Dinners of 8. Oriole loved having family to visit, travelling, dining with friends, and watching some good British Television shows. She was truly a treasure and will be dearly missed by her family and friends. A memorial service for Oriole will be held Saturday, September 30, 2023 at 11:00 AM at St. Michael's by - the - Sea Episcopal Church, 2775 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.eternalhillsmortuary.com for the McLean family.