MaryAnn Opperman

Maryann Eve Opperman, beloved mother, grandmother, friend, shining light, and generous champion of important causes, passed away peacefully, among family, at her home in Presidio Heights, San Francisco on December 6, 2021, at the age of 79.

Born Anna Maria Eva deLichtenbeg in Budapest, Hungary in 1942, she was the daughter of Marie Louise Bruhin of Lausanne, Switzerland and Peter Harry deLichtenberg of Budapest, Hungary. Lovingly nicknamed Sisi by her parents and Ah Moo by her grandchildren, Maryann spent her early years in Budapest, and moved to Switzerland after the Russians invaded Hungary in WWII. Her family relocated to Lake Como, Italy, then to London, England, and ultimately settled in Toronto, Canada. Maryann was talented, adventurous, fearless, and charismatic. She was multilingual —fluent in Hungarian, French, Italian, and English and traveled the world over. A gifted student and breathtakingly beautiful ballerina, Maryann began her career studying with The Royal Ballet of London at the age of 12. She dance professionally at the age of 18 with The National Ballet of Canada, The Joffrey Ballet in New York, and eventually moved to San Francisco to dance with the San Francisco Ballet under Michael Smuin. Maryann’s strength, discipline, resilience, and grace were hallmarks of her character that she exuded throughout her life.

A classic beauty who was often compared to Audrey Hepburn, Maryann began modeling in San Francisco and quickly ascended to the top of the industry. She was represented by the legendary Jimmy Grimmé of the Grimmé Modeling Agency and was featured weekly in The San Francisco Chronicle for Saks and I. Magnin. She was spotted by the famed fashion designer Richard Tam and became his muse, inspiring multiple collections. Maryann met her husband, Claude Jarman Jr., an Academy Award winning actor, when he was the Executive Director of the San Francisco Film Festival. They married in 1968 and several years later, had two wonderful daughters, Natalie Ann and Vanessa Louise. Claude and Maryann traveled often on the behalf of the film festival and entertained distinguished actors such as Louis Malle, Catherine Deneuve, Candace Bergen, and Alec Guinness in their Presidio Heights home. They brought glamour and excitement to San Francisco. Maryann’s innate hospitality, elegance, and wit attracted the likes of Princess Margaret, Shirley Temple Black, Jane Wyman, and John Ford. Maryann dazzled everyone she met, but more importantly she made all people feel seen, cared for, and welcomed. In 1984, Maryann married her late husband, John C. (Jack) Opperman. Maryann valued family above all and embraced the addition of her stepson, John Opperman. Together, Jack and Maryann enjoyed a meaningful, long life side-by-side. They were both curious, intellectual, and active. Maryann could still do the splits at age 75 and played tennis every week at the Cal Club. Jack and Maryann were also avid skiers, enjoyed travel, and shared appreciation of the arts, regularly attending the symphony, opera and ballet. Maryann was a gourmet cook and loved food. Her motto was “Only eat it if it’s delicious” and she could eat anything and everything without gaining a pound. Her dinner parties were legendary and her house was filled with lively conversations and laughter. In the final years of Jack’s life, Maryann fully devoted herself to caring for him. Maryann was a great lover of animals. There was never a stranded animal she drove by on the road that she wouldn’t help. She supported several animal rescue organizations such as Pets Unlimited, The Peninsula Humane Society, the SPCA and the Humane Society of the United States. She believed she had a responsibility to speak for those who had no voice. She could often be seen walking her dog in Crissy Field and Alta Plaza. Maryann was a cherished mother. She and her daughter Natalie loved to prepare Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts together. And she was the first person her daughter Vanessa called every morning. As a grandmother, Maryann wasn’t afraid to climb into the jumpy house with her granddaughter or play tag and dodgeball with her grandsons. She was a considered the best friend by so many and provided loving comfort at their bedsides in their final days. She was an excellent listener and always gave the most insightful advice. Wherever Maryann was, it always felt safe. It felt like home.

Maryann is survived by her daughters Natalie Jarman and Vanessa Getty, and her stepson, John Opperman. She was dearly loved by her son-in-law, Billy Getty and her three grandchildren, Nicholas, Alexander and Veronica Getty.

Maryann will be greatly missed by her devoted companion, Douglas Fenton, and by her caretaker and friend, Esthela Sanchez. Her rescue dogs, Henry and Chauncey, were by her side when she peacefully passed. Her family would like to thank her amazing team of caretakers, doctors, and hospice.

She will be forever honored and loved by her family and friends. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Peninsula Humane Society.