Obituary - Betty O'Donnell

Elizabeth Lipp O'Donnell passed away at the age of 99 on July 2, 2018.  Funeral services will be held at St. Pius X in Billings at 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 9th. Graveside services will be at Highland Cemetery in Havre at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 10th.

Betty was born February 26, 1919, in Fairchild, Montana, to Andrew and Katherine (Fisher) Lipp on the family homestead.  She was raised and educated in Hingham, Montana.  After high school, Betty enrolled in nurse's training at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Havre, Montana, where she graduated as a registered nurse in 1941.  She went on to work at a railroad hospital in San Mateo, California, and at Providence Hospital in Seattle, Washington.  While working in Seattle, she met and married Francis Edward O'Donnell of East Jewett, New York, who was serving in the United States Navy.  Betty and Francis were married June 29, 1946.  They initially lived in New York City where Betty worked at Memorial Hospital.  They settled in Havre in 1948.  In Havre, Francis worked as an engineer for the Great Northern Railroad and later, Burlington Northern Railroad, for 40 years.  Betty worked at the Deaconess Hospital and the Sacred Heart Hospitals in Havre.  She also worked extensively as a private nurse for patients.  As a nurse for over 40 years, Betty gave patients great care and her full attention. She was ideally suited to be a nurse with a gentle, calm, caring and soothing approach that put her patients at ease. Betty and Francis raised six children in Havre and were members of St. Jude Catholic Church.  Betty spent many years doing volunteer work at the Havre Senior Citizens' Center, Havre Food Bank and St. Jude Catholic Church.  She was also a member of the St. Jude Catholic Daughters and Altar Society. In 2004, Betty moved to Highgate Senior Living in Billings to be near family.  She remained active walking each day and enjoyed visits from family and friends. The family wishes to express great appreciation to the staff and management of Highgate Senior Living and to Compassus Hospice & Palliative Care.

Betty is survived by daughters Mary (Richard) Derbyshire of Billings, Kathleen (Charles) Duus of Vancouver, Washington; sons Edward (Kathleen) of Henderson, Nevada, William (Denise) of Tyler, Texas; nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, 15 nieces and seven nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, a sister, a son, Robert W. O'Donnell in 1975, her husband, Francis E. O'Donnell in 1997, a daughter, Janice in 2013 and two grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the Highgate Senior Living Annual Employee Service Award, 3980 Parkhill Drive, Billings, MT 59102.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at http://www.dahlfuneralchapel.com/.