Curtis, Leona S. (nee Heckman), died peacefully 12/10, having recently celebrated her 96th birthday. Her early years were marked by the Depression, WWII, and the death of her mother when Lee was only 13. Life significantly improved when she married Jerry Curtis (James Gerald) in 1949. Seven children followed–Trish (Mike Goeke), Teree (Ray) McGuirk, Skip, John, Joan, Tom and Chris (Micki)–settting in motion a pattern of giving and caring anchored by her Catholic faith which never wavered even during her last days. Despite all the cooking and cleaning, she found time for anything that needed doing at the parish school and church as well as ball games and other extra-curriculars. Occasionally there was time to indulge her creativity with ceramics and sewing . With kids moving on and Jerry retiring, there was more time to enjoy friends and build their dream home. When she lost Jerry in 1993, a new chapter began. Now the only thing more important than volunteering was supporting her children and indulging her grandchildren: Ben, Rachel,and Julia (Elliot Cook) Goeke, Sophia (Jonathan) Custer, Jake (Rebecca) Curtis and Melody Curtis. And in her last decades her great-grandchildren were the light of her life: Eva and Javier Goeke, Freida and Otto Cook, Bella, Jamie and Lizzie Curtis.
Services; Visitation at Kutis South County (5255 Lemay Ferry) on Sunday, 12/18, 4 to 8 pm. Mass will be celebrated Monday, 12/19, 10 am , at St. Cronan, 1202 So. Boyle Ave. Instead of flowers, you can honor her memory by a giving to a children’s charity of your choice.
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
Marcia & Hans Oberdorfer
Forever in our Hearts ….
Marvin (and, Marie and Vincent)
Trish, and all the Kids: This is the hardest thing I have had to do since the death of my Mom. I won’t be able to make either the Wake or the Funeral. I am profoundly sorry. I am leaving for Florida this Saturday and I will not be back until Wednesday. I will treasurer her being amongst us – forever.
Due to the limits on burials at Jefferson Barracks, the graveside service is scheduled for 11:15 on Tuesday, 12/20. Meet at Kutis at 1030 to join the line of cars to the cemetery for a short final prayer service.
Raising 7 children was not enough for Lee! She was always drawn to little ones and worked for organizations that alleviated their suffering. You can honor her with a gift to Cardinal Glennon Hospital for Children https://www.glennon.org/, Ukrainian Children’s Aid http://www.ucareinc.org/, St. Vincent de Paul https://www.stvincentdepaul.net/give/, Jesuit Relief Services https://jrs.net/en/ OR any organization whose work benefits children.
The most optimistic lady friend we ever met. Friends from Assumption on Mattis.