NWA F/A Mary Catherine Greeno, widow of NWA Capt. Dean Greeno

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

NWA F/A  Mary Catherine Greeno, widow of NWA Capt. Dean Greeno

October 13, 1945 ~ September 30, 2020

 

This news comes to us from the Retired Northwest Pilots’ Assoc. group….friends write:

  “It is with a heavy heart that I report the passing of another of earth's amazing angels, retired Northwest Airlines flight attendant, Mary Greeno, age 75. She passed away yesterday due to CoVid-19 at her residence at the Guardian Angel assisted living home with her sons, Darren and Mitch by her side. Mary was preceded in death by her husband, retired Northwest Airlines pilot Dean Greeno.”

Share memories at https://www.forevermissed.com/mary-greeno/about

Life story:  https://www.forevermissed.com/mary-greeno/lifestory

Obituary:  Greeno, Mary Catherine 10/13/1945 - 9/30/2020 Post Falls, Idaho

Mary Catherine Greeno was born in Bay City, Michigan on October 13th, 1945 to Frank and Mary Ann (Frieders) Oesterreicher. Mary moved with her family to Antigo, Wisconsin, where she spent much of her childhood. After finishing high school in 1964, she moved to Oshkosh where she attended the University of Wisconsin and started a job at Wisconsin Telephone. Mary's position at the telephone company led her to Minneapolis, where she became interested becoming a flight attendant – a career that in many ways defined her life, as she was able to travel the world and explore her love of art and culture.

Mary's career at Northwest Airlines began in 1969 and spanned 35 years. She took great pride in providing a safe and comfortable environment for people as they traveled domestically and internationally – but her career was highlighted by the many life-long friendships she developed. She routinely spoke of her colleagues as her extended family and loved being able to travel the world with the wonderful people she worked with. While at Northwest, Mary also met her husband, Dean Greeno. They married in 1979 and moved from Minneapolis, Minnesota to Spokane, Washington in 1984. In Spokane, Mary balanced her career, raising her children, and taking part in an array of volunteer activities. She loved the arts and supported local theaters wherever she lived. She was also quick to volunteer at her children's schools and in the community. Mary also loved Hawaii, where she and Dean spent many years after they retired. Ultimately, they returned to the Coeur d'Alene area to be closer to their grandchildren and to spend as much time as they could at Priest Lake, where they shared a cabin with friends and family for the last 30 years. Mary was a wonderful partner, sister, mother, grandmother, and friend. Her energy for life and ability to make people feel important and loved kept friends and family connected throughout her life. Mary had a gift for making spaces, occasions and life beautiful, special and fun. Mary passed away on September 30th in Post Falls, Idaho after contracting COVID-19.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Dean, her parents, Mary and Frank, and her brother, Charlie. She is survived by her sons Darren (Leah) Greeno and Mitchell Greeno, daughters Marney (Douglas) Zellers and Mandee (Kurt) Vigesaa, six grandchildren, brother George, and sisters Jeanne, Carol, and Jan.

A memorial site has been established to share memories of Mary at mary-greeno.forevermissed.com

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research.

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NWA Capt. Dean Earl Greeno

~ IN MEMORY ~

NWA Capt. Dean Earl Greeno

April 15, 1945 ~ November 12, 2018 

Notification with the passing of retired Northwest pilot Captain Dean Earl Greeno, age 72.  Captain Greeno joined Northwest Airlines  03-24-1969.  He is survived by his wife Mary, his children and grandchildren. To view Captain Greeno’s obituary online please visit

https://www.havredailynews.com/story/2018/11/20/obituaries/obituary-dean-earl-greeno/521394.html 

 

Obituary.................Dean Earl Greeno

Dean Earl Greeno was born April 15, 1945, to Walter and Ruth (Kuble) Greeno. He grew up in the small town of Rudyard, Mont., where his family farmed wheat. An avid athlete, Dean played several sports and excelled at basketball, which he played in high school and college.

 

While attending the University of Montana he discovered his first love — flying airplanes. After graduating with a degree in political science, he pursued his private pilot's license at Harrod's Aviation in Billings, Mont. There he met his first wife, Dona Hicks, who remembers "he had the best smile in the world." In March of 1969, Dean began a long career as a pilot for Northwest Airlines, where he flew domestically and internationally for 35 years. Dean retired as a 747 captain — respected by his colleagues as an exceptional pilot.

 

While at Northwest, Dean met Mary Oesterreicher, a flight attendant with the airline. They married in 1979 and moved from Minneapolis, Minn., to Spokane, Wash., in 1984. In Spokane, Dean was a fixture at the local racquet club, where he balanced a busy career by playing tennis and racquetball with friends and club competitors. He also loved cars and built a beautiful classic car collection that he displayed in his "shop." Dean and Mary also spent as much time as they could at Priest Lake in northern Idaho, where they shared a cabin with friends and family for the last 30 years. They retired in the Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, area in 2004.

 

Dean passed away at home on Nov. 12, 2018. He is preceded in death by his parents; infant sister, Marie and brother, Dale. He is survived by his wife, Mary; daughters, Marney (Douglas) Zellers and Mandee (Kurt) Vigesaa; sons, Darren (Leah) Greeno and Mitchell Greeno; as well as six grandchildren.