Mary Helen Lillard

Mary Helen Lillard passed from this life on August 6, 2011. She was born November 25, 1925 in Oklahoma City, to John William Witten and Helene Louise Jones Witten, and was the youngest of their five children. Mary Helen graduated from Britton High School in 1942, and in 1945 earned a B.S. in Education from Central State College (now known as UCO) in Edmond. She attained a Master's Degree in Education from The University of Oklahoma in 1962. She met the love of her life, Bill J. Lillard, in 1947 while they were both teachers at Capitol Hill Junior High School. They were married August 19, 1950. Their one child, Louise Mignon Lillard, died in 1974. Mary Helen Lillard's honors in education included the President's Honor Roll and the Emma W. Plunkett Award as Outstanding Female Athlete at Central State College as a freshman and senior. She taught physical education and general science for 25 years in Bartlesville and Oklahoma City. She was a member of the O.E.A., the N.E.A., and Delta Kappa Gamma. Mary Helen was honored to be the "First Lady" of U.C.O. for 17 years while her husband Bill served as President of the University. She will be remembered as the only First Lady at U.C.O. to have a degree from the University. Mary Helen was active in golf, tennis and swimming into her adult life. She enjoyed travel, especially to athletic events such as Wimbledon and Orange Bowl games. She loved to share stories of her visits to China and Las Vegas. Mary Helen Lillard was predeceased by her daughter, Louise Lillard, her parents, two sisters and two brothers. She is survived by her husband, Bill J. Lillard, and several nieces and nephews. A Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, August 13, at St. Eugene Catholic Church, 2400 W. Hefner Rd. at 11:00 a.m.