Catherine McKeel O'Hare, 93

Catherine McKeel O’Hare, 93, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2010 in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Catherine was born in Thompson Falls, Mont., on March 4, 1916, to Jefferson and Mabel Herriott McKeel. She attended schools in Thompson Falls and graduated from high school there in 1933. She then attended the University of Montana and graduated in 1938 with degrees in institutional management and nutrition.

Catherine was employed by the U of M from 1938-1941 as a residence hall director. It was here that she met and married Paul Thomas O’Hare on Dec. 20, 1941. War loomed and the young couple was soon separated.

Catherine enlisted in the W.A.A.C. OTC in June 1942, and served as post mess supervisor at the Daytona Beach W.A.A.C. training center until late 1943. At that time, she secured an honorable discharge as a first lieutenant when the W.A.A.C. became a regular component of the Army. She then joined her husband at Farragut Naval Training Center in Idaho where she was employed in the personnel office until Paul was ordered to sea duty.

In 1944, Mrs. O’Hare moved to Seattle where she was employed by Boeing as a supervisor in their plant food service until January 1946. At the war’s end, she was reunited with her husband. They returned to Montana and she followed him to educational instructional and administrative appointments in Missoula, Red Lodge, Thompson Falls, Helena, and Billings. While in Helena, Catherine was employed in the office of a medical team and in Billings she sold real estate for several years. She was active in many charitable organizations and church volunteer activities while in Montana.

Catherine and Paul retired to their beloved Lake Pend Oreille in 1977 near property they had purchased in 1949 while living in Thompson Falls. They enjoyed many happy years there with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and the many friends they met throughout their lifetime. In Idaho, Catherine was an active member of Chapter CA of P.E.O. and Holy Spirit Episcopal Church. She liked to read and enjoyed a good game of cards (especially bridge). Her children and grandchildren proudly display some of her lovely oil and watercolor paintings and homemade Christmas ornaments in their homes.

Catherine was preceded in death by her husband, Paul, on July 11, 2008. Her parents and a brother, Daniel W. McKeel also preceded her. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Cathy and Carl Sandell; and her son and daughter-in-law, Tim and Linda O’Hare, all of Hope. Mrs. O’Hare is also survived by her grandchildren, Carleen Sandell Clark and her husband, Spencer of Sandpoint, Idaho, Ryan O’Hare and his wife, Barbara Jo of Kirkland, Wash.,, Shannon O’Hare Renevier and her husband, Jeffrey of Bozeman, Mont., and Caitlin Sandell of Saipan, Marinas Islands. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Trey Clark and Ara Clark of Sandpoint, and Logan O’Hare and Liam O’Hare of Kirkland.

Memorials may be made to Holy Spirit Episcopal Church, 217 Cedar Street No. 336, Sandpoint, ID or the P.E.O. Continuing Education Fund in care of Jan McKeough, 6569 Colburn Culver Road, Sandpoint, ID.

The family extends its gratitude to the outstanding personnel of the Life Care Center of Sandpoint for the compassionate and excellent care they gave Catherine over the past 21 months. They are a kind, respectful and skilled staff in all aspects of the care and attention given to their residents and their families.

A combined memorial aervice for Catherine and Paul will be held on at a date to be announced in July 2010 at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church, 26420 Highway 2, Dover, Idaho, with the Revs. JP and Barbara Carver officiating.

Please visit Catherine’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign her guest book.