She served as Director of the WAVES and Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel for Women from 1966 to 1970.

[2] This knowledge would be used by her to devise the motto for the WAVES: Honoris Est Nobis Navare Navales, which translates from Latin as It is an honor for us to serve the fleet.

[1] Lenihan received officer training at the United States Naval Reserve Midshipmen's School at Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts.

[1] She returned to the USA and joined the Potomac River Naval Command as Director of Officer Personnel.

She had been suffering from cancer and was receiving treatment at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.