- Date Of Birth: August 13, 1933
- Date Of Death: December 9, 2021
- State: Illinois
Mary Martha Leach (nee Meyer), 88, of O’Fallon, IL, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 9, 2021, at Colonnade Heritage in O’Fallon, IL. Mary was born August 13, 1933, in Mankato, MN to Walter and Lorena Meyer (nee Brunz). She earned her B.S. Degree in Art and Home Economics in 1954 from Mankato State University. She earned an M.S. Degree in Textiles and Clothing from Colorado State University in 1960, and an Ed. Specialist Degree in Education Administration, Curriculum, and Supervision from Western Illinois University in 1971, and a Ph.D. in Home Economics Education Major with a Clothing minor from Texas Woman’s University in 1975.
Mary also married John Leach on December 26, 1966, in Mankato, MN while in her studies.Mary was a teacher and Dept. Chairperson in Minnesota junior and senior high schools from 1954-1967. After one year at East Texas State University, she was an Assistant/Associate, then full Professor in Home Economics from 1969-1995, the Assistant/Associate Dean of the College of Applied Sciences from 1977-1990, and then the Acting Dean of the College of Applied Sciences from 1990-1995 when she retired from Western Illinois University.Mary then began a second career working at the Regional Office of Education from 1995-2011. During this time, she was the coordinator over a five-year Tech Prep Connection Project for West Central Illinois Consortium including 32 high schools, 2 community colleges, and 1 university, and she was the Director of another three-year K-16 Partnership for Student Mathematical and Scientific Achievement Project including 12 school districts, 2 community colleges, and 1 university.Mary was also very involved with her church, Immanuel Lutheran, in Macomb, IL.
She cherished her relationship with, and worship to, the Lord. Her faith was always the foundation that guided her throughout life.Once finally retiring in 2011, Mary and John enjoyed many years of fun-filled travel to Alaska, Central America, the Caribbean, and throughout the USA. They spent their final years together living in O’Fallon, IL, near their daughter, Rachelle, until John passed away on July 24, 2020. Mary joined him peacefully into God’s hands on December 9, 2021.Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband; John Leach, her parents; Walter and Lorena Meyer (nee Brunz), her sister; Kathlene Meyer, and her sister-in-law; Marsha Meyer (nee Birch).Mary is survived by her daughter; Rachelle (Tom Farnsworth) Leach of O’Fallon, IL, and her brother; James (Ruth) Meyer of LaGrange, GA.
