Maureen Lear, 93, of Fairfield, MT, passed away September 16, 2019, at Park Place Heath Care Center in Great Falls, MT.
Maureen Mary Margaret Gallagher Lear was the first child born to Mary Maguire Gallagher and Farrell J. Gallagher on April 7, 1926, in Anaconda, MT. She spent her childhood surrounded by a large, Irish Catholic, extended family. After her dad’s death when she was 12, Maureen helped raise her siblings. A year after graduating from Anaconda Central, she left home to attend the College of Great Falls to become a first grade teacher. She spent one year teaching in Drummond.
One of her college roommates asked Maureen to attend a wedding in Choteau. There she met Pete Lear, whom she married on June 17, 1947. Maureen and Pete raised six children on their ranch located across from Freeze Out Lake.
Besides being an excellent cook, Maureen kept up a super clean home, taught CCD, and was an active participant in a variety of organizations, while supporting both Pete and their children in many activities.
Maureen’s life changed direction in 1977 through 1978, when she lost her husband, Pete, daughter, Tricia, mom, Mary, and her father-in-law, Ralph Lear. Consequently, she took a job as the study hall monitor and assistant librarian at Fairfield High School.
After retiring from FHS, she worked at a preschool, helped at the local library, and could be found at many of her grandchildren’s activities.
A vigil service will be at 6:00 p.m. Friday, September 20, 2019, and the funeral liturgy will be held Saturday, September 21, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. Both will be held at St. John’s Catholic Church in Fairfield.
To read the complete obituary and share condolences, click here to visit the Schnider Funeral Home website.
