Enid Lois Keene O’Leary

Enid Lois Keene O'Leary was born April 19, 1919, in Silverhill, Ala., to Archibald and Gretchen (Ray) Keene. She was raised in several communities in the Mobile area and graduated from the Organic S cho o l o f Ed u c a t i on i n Fairhope.

She received her bachelor's degree in science education and home economics from Western R e s e r v e University in C l eve l a n d , Ohio.

Following World War II, the field of occupational therapy was j u s t b e ing introduced.

Enid was in the first graduating class of occupational therapy in the United States when she graduated from the University of Southern California with an O.T. degree. While working at the Ve t e rans Admini s t ra t i o n Hospital in Van Nuys, Calif., she met her future husband, John

H. O'Leary. They married on June 11, 1949, in St. Paul, Minn.

After marriage they moved to Thief River Falls, Minn., where John began his medical practice.

In 1953, they moved to Havre, Mont., where they raised their family.

John died in December 1987, and Enid remained in Havre until moving to Billings in 2001.

She moved to St. Paul for a time and then to Northfield, Minn., in February 2008.

Enid imparted a sense of wonderment and respect for nature to all who knew her. She was an avid supporter of education and the arts. With a deep love for her husband and her children, she created a home that fostered a commitment to lifelong learning. While her children were young, she was active in the PTA in Havre.

After raising her five children, she was appointed to a position on the Montana State Board of Education, where she served for several years.

Survivors include her children and their spouses, Douglas and wife Margaret Hayford O'Leary of Northfield, Malcolm of Arlee, Mont., Kathleen of Shoshoni, Wyo., Wendy and husband Patrick Sheehy of Laramie, Wyo., and Ronald and wife Sarah McNamara of Billings, Mont.; seven grandchildren; and two step-grandchildren; John's son, Darrell and wife Teri Frost of Eugene, Ore.; her sister, June Umber of Los Angeles; and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, John; her son-in-law, Dave Phillips; and her brothers, Glenn, Al and Arch.

Enid passed away Saturday afternoon, July 31, 2010, at the Northfield Hospital Long Term Care Center, at the age of 91.

At Enid's request, services will be private. Interment will be Highland Park Cemetery in Havre.

Memorials are preferred to the Organic School of Education in Fairhope or the Nature Conservancy.

Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.