Marilyn Leahy

Marilyn Joan Leahy, 78, of Heartland Health Care, passed away on February 4, 2008 at Cottage Hospital. Marilyn was born to Bernita and Edward Cook on June 14, 1929 in Galesburg, and graduated as valedictorian of her class from Galesburg High School in 1948. She married P. James Leahy on February 12, 1949 at St. Patrick’s Church, Galesburg. He passed away in 1995. Marilyn was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, former member of Business and Professional Women and Corpus Christi Altar and Rosary Society. She was active in planning Class of 1948 reunions, volunteering for Cub Scouts, concession stands and any other of her children’s activities. She was an avid Galesburg Silver Streak fan, attending as many of her children’s and grandchildren’s events as possible. She, along with husband Jim, worked to organize and establish the National Stearman Fly-In. She was a unit secretary at Cottage Hospital for 20 years, retiring in 1997. Survivors include daughters Ruth Anne (John) Hanlon, Galesburg; and Patricia (John) Ditto, Oregon, IL; and son Eddie Leahy, Galesburg. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren: Sean (Karla) Hanlon, Denver, CO; Michael Hanlon, Galesburg; Patrick (Katie) Hanlon, Washington, IL; Jennifer Leahy, Scottsdale, AZ; Kristen (Luke) Larson, Twenty Nine Palms, CA; Shane Ditto, Andrew Ditto, Christopher Ditto and Caitlin Ditto, all of Oregon, IL; and 4 great grandchildren: Emma and Jacob Hanlon, Denver, CO; Jack Hanlon, Washington, IL; and Dylan Gates, Scottsdale, AZ. She was preceded in death by a son, Brian Leahy, and her parents. Visitation will be held at Watson Funeral Home from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, February 7, 2008 with a wake service at 8 p.m. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. on Friday at Immaculate Heart of Mary. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Costa Catholic Academy, Knox County Council for the Developmentally Disabled (KCCDD), or the Heart’s Desire Program c/o Heartland Health Care Center, Galesburg.