Elizabeth "Dibbie" M Conahan

    Elizabeth M. “Dibbie” Conahan, 75, passed away unexpectedly on December 27 at home in Delray Beach, Florida, after recently relocating from Washington, D.C.  She was the devoted wife of Professor James C. Oldham with whom she shared 29 years of marriage.

    Born and raised in Hazleton she was the daughter of the late Joseph B, and Elizabeth (McHugh) Conahan.  She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at Chestnut Hill College, Philadelphia and received a Masters of Science degree in Urban Studies from Boston University.

    Dibbie began as an educator in 1972 in the history department of Bishop Hafey High School, Hazleton, PA.  She left teaching and relocated to Boston, MA, in 1977 and began her distinguished career in the banking industry.

    She held senior positions in the capital markets divisions of several financial institutions and became COO of a private development firm.  She joined Walker and Dunlop in Bethesda, MD, in the 1990’s at a time when there were few women in the mortgage banking industry.

    Respected and admired by clients and colleagues alike she focused on commercial mortgage banking and was a senior vice-president for over 20 years.  Later she founded Volta Place, LLC, placing debt for commercial real estate clients in the greater Washington, D.C. area.

    Among her many professional and community activities was her service for nine years on the board of the Carl M. Freeman Companies as a member of the Urban Land Institute and its Washington District chair from 2005 to 2007; her membership on the advisory board of Common Threads; her service as volunteer for the Georgetown Ministry Center; her tenure as a longtime board member, mentor and leading advocate for The Washington School for Girls and from 2008 to 2024 her service on the Board of Building Bridges Across the River where in September, 2025, she received their Bridge Builder Award for her extraordinary contributions to THE ARC.  She and her husband were also stalwart supporters of numerous local art institutions, notably the Phillips Collection and The Washington Ballet.

    As impressive as these accomplishments were, more importantly, was who she was personally.  Her love for her husband, Jim, was immeasurable.  They wrote their story across the globe.  Family was of the utmost importance to her.  She attended every family function regardless of the distance.  She was kind and generous, enjoyed cooking, entertaining, travel, art, horseback riding and good conversation.  She brought a sense of style, fun and adventure to any occasion and was always a supportive friend.  She was a person with a strong social conscience who, along with her husband, opened their home and hearts to friends, family and the community.

    In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Joseph and Thomas, and a brother-in-law, Nowland Oldham.

    Dibbie is survived by her beloved husband, Jim, stepdaughter Sarah Villafranco and husband John and their children Lola and Nina, and stepson Nelson Oldham and his children Ben and Kate.

    She is also survived by six siblings; Frank, Paula, Michael, Ann, Therese and Jim.  She was the cherished “Auntie Dibbie” to 14 nieces and nephews and adopted “Auntie” to too many to count.

    She will be missed by all those in her life.

     A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 11:00 am at St. Pius of Pietrelcina Parish, Church of St. Gabriel, 122 S. Wyoming Street, Hazleton, PA.  The family will receive relatives and friends at the church from 9:30 am to 11:00 am.  Burial will be private in St. Gabriel Cemetery, Hazleton.

    Memorial donations may be made to:  Mission of Healing Eyes, 267 W. Sylvestor Place, Highlands Ranch, CO  80129.

    Arrangements are under the direction of Joseph B. Conahan Funeral Home, Hazleton

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Elizabeth "Dibbie" M Conahan, please visit our floral store.