Marie C Keating

Marie C. (Olds) Keating, 90, of Great Falls, passed away peacefully on Friday May, 2, 2014 while surrounded by her family. The family will greet friends and family on Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at O’Connor Funeral Home. The funeral mass will be held Thursday, May 8, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Marie will be laid to rest at Hillcrest Lawn Mausoleum with her beloved husband, Jack. Marie was born on October 6, 1923 in Butte to Anna Marie Striedinger and Frederick John Olds. As a young girl, she moved to Great Falls and attended local schools. She was a proud Great Falls High Bison. On June 2, 1940 she married her high school sweetheart and life-long love, John “Jack” Keating. Following their marriage, she devoted her life to her family. She had a special connection with each of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and was so proud of each of them. Marie could be found at all their sporting, musical, school, and life events. Her kind and caring heart showed in her faithful sponsorship of children from third world countries. She was a founding member of the Catholic Youth Council and was active in the Ladies’ Circle at St. Gerard’s Catholic Church. She was a member of the Mothers’ Club at Central Catholic High School and a devout member of Our Lady of Lourdes parish for many years. Marie was a world traveler and had a vast interest in cultural arts. She enjoyed attending symphonies, concerts and art shows. She loved listening to music, watching movies and British comedies, and was an avid reader. Marie was an excellent seamstress and a beautiful artist. Marie and Jack have five children, Patricia M. Kelly of Great Falls, Michael J. (Virginia) Keating of Great Falls, Kathleen J. “Taffy” (Gordon) Lambert of Farmington Hills, MI, Suzanne M. (Paul) Smith of Great Falls, and Jackie Lyn Wassmann of Havre. Their grandchildren are Troy, Shannon, Jamie, Jeffrey and Meghan Kelly, Brett Bennyhoff, Kerry Albrecht, Holly Childers, Heidi Williams, Matthew Lambert, Allison Randall, Tara Hagins, Lindsay Smith, George Wassmann, Jr., Reuben and Kimberly Wassmann. They also have 16 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Marie is also survived by her siblings, Fred Olds, Jr., JoAnn Brown, Donna Herzog, and Judee Smith, all of Great Falls. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, John H. Keating on May 19, 1985, her parents, Fred J. and Anna Olds, and a daughter-in-law, Diana Keating. Memorials to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School or donor’s choice are suggested.