1913
Lee
2008
Lee O'Dower
May 27, 1913 — August 1, 2008
Lee O?Dower, age 95, of Tucson, Arizona, died at home on August 1, 2008, after a short illness.
Lee was born on May 27, 1913, in Eades, Colorado, and moved to Kansas City in the mid-30?s with her sisters to attend business school. She met her husband, Hugh J. O?Dower in Kansas City and enjoyed 60 years of marriage. He owned O?Dower Engineering Company and they spent forty years in the home they built in Mission Hills, Kansas. Lee was a lifetime member of the Young Matrons Club and was very active in her volunteer work to raise funds for the Ozanam home.
They were world travelers and one of her most memorable trips was her African Safari. Upon Hugh?s death she donated their trophies to the Kansas City Zoo so others could enjoy them. They owned a summer home on Lake of the Woods, Ontario where they spent many summers fishing and enjoying the outdoors. They were both avid golfers and belonged to the Indian Hills and Blue Hills Country Club where Lee was golf champion. In the early 70?s they began spending their winters in Tucson and belonged to the Tucson National Golf Resort where she continued to play golf until her eyesight prohibited her from playing. After Hugh?s death she left Kansas and moved to Tucson to be closer to her son and his family. Even with her failing eyesight, she continued to be active by walking daily and was a regular in her water aerobics class. Lee had a zest for life and was never one to turn down an invitation.
One of her great joys was being close to her grandchildren and she instilled in them her love of travel by taking them on their first trip to Europe. She was especially proud to see Lindsay receive her MBA degree and Lauren her JD degree.
Lee is survived by her son Hugh Michael O?Dower and his wife, Eileen of Tucson and her two grandchildren, Ms. Lindsay O?Dower of Chicago, Illinois, and Ms. Lauren O?Dower of San Jose, California; and her daughter, Ms. Mary Elizabeth (Beth) O?Dower of San Diego. Lee is also survived by her brother Mr. William (Jack) Herron, his wife, Vi of Kansas City, and sister-in-laws Marylou (Tommy) Reed of Phoenix, Arizona and Melberta Herron of Sacramento, California. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and cousins. The family would like to give a special thanks to Connie Guerrero for all her love and support as Lee?s caretaker for the last ten years.
A graveside memorial service will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 22nd, 2008 at D. W. Newcomer?s Sons Johnson County Memorial Gardens, 11200 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park, Kansas. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Tucson. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that donations be made in Lee?s name to the charity of your choice.
Lee was born on May 27, 1913, in Eades, Colorado, and moved to Kansas City in the mid-30?s with her sisters to attend business school. She met her husband, Hugh J. O?Dower in Kansas City and enjoyed 60 years of marriage. He owned O?Dower Engineering Company and they spent forty years in the home they built in Mission Hills, Kansas. Lee was a lifetime member of the Young Matrons Club and was very active in her volunteer work to raise funds for the Ozanam home.
They were world travelers and one of her most memorable trips was her African Safari. Upon Hugh?s death she donated their trophies to the Kansas City Zoo so others could enjoy them. They owned a summer home on Lake of the Woods, Ontario where they spent many summers fishing and enjoying the outdoors. They were both avid golfers and belonged to the Indian Hills and Blue Hills Country Club where Lee was golf champion. In the early 70?s they began spending their winters in Tucson and belonged to the Tucson National Golf Resort where she continued to play golf until her eyesight prohibited her from playing. After Hugh?s death she left Kansas and moved to Tucson to be closer to her son and his family. Even with her failing eyesight, she continued to be active by walking daily and was a regular in her water aerobics class. Lee had a zest for life and was never one to turn down an invitation.
One of her great joys was being close to her grandchildren and she instilled in them her love of travel by taking them on their first trip to Europe. She was especially proud to see Lindsay receive her MBA degree and Lauren her JD degree.
Lee is survived by her son Hugh Michael O?Dower and his wife, Eileen of Tucson and her two grandchildren, Ms. Lindsay O?Dower of Chicago, Illinois, and Ms. Lauren O?Dower of San Jose, California; and her daughter, Ms. Mary Elizabeth (Beth) O?Dower of San Diego. Lee is also survived by her brother Mr. William (Jack) Herron, his wife, Vi of Kansas City, and sister-in-laws Marylou (Tommy) Reed of Phoenix, Arizona and Melberta Herron of Sacramento, California. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and cousins. The family would like to give a special thanks to Connie Guerrero for all her love and support as Lee?s caretaker for the last ten years.
A graveside memorial service will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 22nd, 2008 at D. W. Newcomer?s Sons Johnson County Memorial Gardens, 11200 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park, Kansas. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Tucson. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that donations be made in Lee?s name to the charity of your choice.
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