Dr. Alan O'Leary's Obituary
Dr. Alan O’Leary, 81, was born in Butte, Montana, to Vic and Peg O’Leary, from whom Alan acquired his humorous charisma, kindness, and athleticism. At Butte Central High he lettered in basketball, baseball, and track, and became known as “the fastest boy in Montana,” when he set the state record in the 440 dash in 1960. This earned him a 4-year track scholarship to the University of Oregon, where he co-captained two teams to NCAA national track championships in 1964 and 1965. Later he was inducted into the University of Oregon Hall of Fame and the Butte, MT, Hall of Fame.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Oregon, he began work as a counselor at Sacramento State University, where he also participated in civil rights actions for fair housing. In 1970 he moved to Athens, Ohio, to earn a PhD from Ohio University, where he also worked as a counselor in the student health center. In 1973 he was hired as the founding director of the local community mental health center, where he met his soulmate and wife of 49 years, Donna Mabry, who also became a psychologist. In 1982 he went into private practice and, over a 24-year career, with his empathy and sensitive wisdom, he developed a reputation as “a therapist’s therapist.”
During his years in Athens he was president of the local ACLU, the life of many parties, and a undeniable force on the court in 35 years of pick-up basketball games. He was known for his dead-eye shots—and, for his abysmal mechanical abilities—a mixture of aptitudes that earned him the sobriquet “good hands, bad fingers.”
In 2006 Alan and Donna retired to Rehoboth Beach, DE, and Alan began his writing career with the Rehoboth Art League’s Writers Group and the Rehoboth Beach Writers Guild. He was known for his pitch perfect dialog and the colorful stories from his Butte childhood, several of which were published.
Alan was pre-deceased by his parents, who had retired to San Diego, and by his sister Lynn O’Leary-Archer and brother-in-law Roger O’Leary-Archer of Los Angeles. He is survived by his two loving children, from his first, 7-year marriage to Jeanne: his daughter Shannon O’Leary of Los Angeles, and his son Kevin Moore-O’Leary, and Kevin’s wife Kara and their delightful children, Izabella and Jules of Davis, CA. He is also survived by a brother-in-law, three sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews, who almost to a person, regard Alan as a favorite uncle.
Throughout his life, Alan was a devoted, loving husband; a deeply committed and loving father, who co-parented his children after a divorce; and a playfully loving grandfather. He was loved deeply and widely by family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors. His love, levity and kindness will be sorely missed.
He died of complications of late-stage Parkinson’s in Beebe Hospital on October 23, 2024. No public services are planned at this time, but cards to Donna Mabry (Mrs. Alan O’Leary) & Family, C/O Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium at 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE 19958, would be greatly appreciated. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Parkinson’s Education and Support Group of Sussex County at P.O. Box 56, Lewes, DE 19958; the Rehoboth Art League; or the Rehoboth Film Society in Alan’s memory.
Please sign Dr. O’Leary’s Tribute wall at this site.
What’s your fondest memory of Alan?
What’s a lesson you learned from Alan?
Share a story where Alan's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Alan you’ll never forget.
How did Alan make you smile?