Women’s Advocate Euthene Dies Cda Center’s Former Director Passed Away Of Cancer Dec. 22

Star Euthene, the former director of the Women’s Center in Coeur d’Alene, died Dec. 22 at Kootenai Medical Center, just two months after she was diagnosed with gastric cancer.

Euthene, 50, was focusing her life on art and helping women appreciate the beauty of aging when doctors found her tumor.

“It was very peaceful. There was no pain,” said Sue Wright, a friend who cared for Euthene during her last days.

Euthene made a name for herself as an articulate warrior for women’s rights, but never lost her reputation as a free spirit. Shortly after arriving in Coeur d’Alene from California in 1974, she began volunteering at the fledgling Women’s Center.

She led the successful charge to change an Idaho law that permitted husbands to force their wives to have sex with them even after six months of separation.

With friends, Euthene organized the Idaho Women’s Network and Coeur d’Alene’s first chapter of the National Organization for Women.

Euthene worked as a volunteer with domestic violence victims until 1989, when she was hired as the Women Center’s executive director. She retired at the end of 1994 after doctors cautioned her to lower her stress level.

After that Euthene sculpted and made jewelry, selling her work at Art on the Green and craft fairs nationwide. She also taught her crafts to school children.

Euthene, who never married, lost touch with her family after she moved to Coeur d’Alene. She asked to be cremated. Friends are planning a memorial service for her this spring.

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