Obituary for Marion H Leahey
Marion Loucier Howell Leahey, 93, died peacefully on Thursday, January 13, 2022, in Springfield, Missouri. Marion was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, on March 7, 1928, to Ruth Tully Howell and Joseph W. Howell.
As the oldest of four sisters by almost nine years or more, Marion was like a second mother to her sisters. Marion took the responsibility of making sure her sisters joined her at church on Sundays, something they thank her for to this day. Early on, Marion dreamed of going to nursing school, but timing and circumstance prevented that from happening.
Marion married Donald Arthur Leahey on September 13, 1948, living first in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and ultimately settling in Norfolk in 1952 where they raised their five children and lived together for the remainder of Donald’s life.
Marion spent many years volunteering for causes important to her. She was a long time active member at Larchmont United Methodist Church, leading Bible study classes, acting as a young couples’ advisor, and serving as a high school Sunday school teacher for many years. Although she was never able to get her nursing degree, Marion gave over 10,000 hours of volunteer service at DePaul Hospital where she provided comfort care to families of those in the ICU. She also volunteered for many years with the Girl Scouts and Nar-Anon. When not volunteering, Marion enjoyed playing tennis and bridge and spending time with loved ones. She was easy to love!
Marion is remembered most as a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend who spent her years traveling to spend time with those she loved.
Marion is survived by her children, Robert J. Leahey, Timothy Leahey, and Patricia Leahey Hunt (William); by her grandchildren, Sean Leahey, Donnie Leahey, Allison Leahey Wood, Carson Leahey, Michelle Leahey McCoy, Bryan Leahey, Joshua Hunt, Jennifer Hunt Baechle and Katie Hunt Manzardo; nine great grandchildren and two expected great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters (and never were there such devoted sisters!), Ruth Magill (Charlie), Beth Knorr (Jim), and Dorothy Borchers (Scott). She was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Donald Arthur Leahey, and sons Michael Leahey and Donald Leahey, Jr., and his wife, Marcia.
A celebration of Marion’s life will be scheduled later in April for her family and friends in Virginia. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Norfolk Botanical Garden.
The family would like to thank Adina Tocia and her team at Close to Paradise, as well as Genesis McTeer, Laura Martin, and Robbin Dillday for the love and care they all provided Marion over the last two years in Springfield.
Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com
As the oldest of four sisters by almost nine years or more, Marion was like a second mother to her sisters. Marion took the responsibility of making sure her sisters joined her at church on Sundays, something they thank her for to this day. Early on, Marion dreamed of going to nursing school, but timing and circumstance prevented that from happening.
Marion married Donald Arthur Leahey on September 13, 1948, living first in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and ultimately settling in Norfolk in 1952 where they raised their five children and lived together for the remainder of Donald’s life.
Marion spent many years volunteering for causes important to her. She was a long time active member at Larchmont United Methodist Church, leading Bible study classes, acting as a young couples’ advisor, and serving as a high school Sunday school teacher for many years. Although she was never able to get her nursing degree, Marion gave over 10,000 hours of volunteer service at DePaul Hospital where she provided comfort care to families of those in the ICU. She also volunteered for many years with the Girl Scouts and Nar-Anon. When not volunteering, Marion enjoyed playing tennis and bridge and spending time with loved ones. She was easy to love!
Marion is remembered most as a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend who spent her years traveling to spend time with those she loved.
Marion is survived by her children, Robert J. Leahey, Timothy Leahey, and Patricia Leahey Hunt (William); by her grandchildren, Sean Leahey, Donnie Leahey, Allison Leahey Wood, Carson Leahey, Michelle Leahey McCoy, Bryan Leahey, Joshua Hunt, Jennifer Hunt Baechle and Katie Hunt Manzardo; nine great grandchildren and two expected great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters (and never were there such devoted sisters!), Ruth Magill (Charlie), Beth Knorr (Jim), and Dorothy Borchers (Scott). She was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Donald Arthur Leahey, and sons Michael Leahey and Donald Leahey, Jr., and his wife, Marcia.
A celebration of Marion’s life will be scheduled later in April for her family and friends in Virginia. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Norfolk Botanical Garden.
The family would like to thank Adina Tocia and her team at Close to Paradise, as well as Genesis McTeer, Laura Martin, and Robbin Dillday for the love and care they all provided Marion over the last two years in Springfield.
Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com