By Rebecca Goodman
The Cincinnati Enquirer

LOVELAND - Edward P. Lenney, principal of St. Julie Billiart School in Hamilton and a retired Loveland Middle School principal, died May 4 of a heart attack at his home. He was 63.

He "made such a difference in the lives of thousands of students in the area," said his son, Shawn E. Lenney of Kings Mills, director of bands for Wayne Local Schools in Waynesville.

"My dad had the most amazing memory and knack for going beyond just knowing students as students," he said. "He really took the time to go the extra mile. He cared so much and people could tell."

Mr. Lenney's son followed him into the education field. "He inspired me. I've been in education for seven years. He was really happy with that ... because he had such a passion for it."

A native of Youngstown, Mr. Lenney held bachelor's and master's degrees from Xavier University.

His taught Latin for a year at Williamsburg and Mason high schools before beginning his 33-year career with the Loveland City School District.

He taught Latin at Loveland High School before switching to administration. He was a guidance counselor at both the high and middle schools and principal at Loveland Middle School from 1982 until his retirement in 1996.

Mr. Lenney came out of retirement two years ago to become principal at St. Julie Billiart.

"In the fall, we found out he had cancer," his son said. "He had been going through chemotherapy treatments and still going to school and working. We had just found out a few weeks ago that it was in remission. We thought he was on the road back" before he had the sudden heart attack that ended his life.

In addition to his son, survivors include his wife, Faith Thacker Lenney; two daughters, Kim Parker of Ross and Karen Carlisle of Colerain Township; another son, Scott Schilling of Los Angeles; a brother, David Lenney of Northern Kentucky; a sister, Mary Ann Forbes of Pennsylvania; and five grandchildren.

Services were held. Interment was at Spring Grove Cemetery.

Memorials: American Heart Association, 2936 Vernon Place, Cincinnati, OH 45219; or American Cancer Society of Southwest Ohio, 5378A Cox Smith Road, Mason, OH 45040.

E-mail rgoodman@enquirer.com