Mardell McLeese
Mardell McLeese, 87, of Towanda, passed away at 11:59 p.m., Friday, Aug. 26, 2016 at her home.
Her funeral will be at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at Epiphany Catholic Church, Normal with Rev. Eric S. Powell officiating. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Normal. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m., Monday, August 29, 2016 at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the Magic Foundation.
Mardell was born January 31, 1929 in Money Creek Township, the daughter of Maurice William and Minnie Alvena Sutter Moore. She married Robert Lee McLeese on October 28, 1950 in Bloomington. He preceded her in death on August 26, 2006.
She is survived by her eight children, Bob (Rosi) McLeese of Monticello, Steven (Kate) McLeese of Towanda, Linda (Rich) Eardley of Mahomet, Tricia (Mike) Wyant of Colfax, Mary (Les) Troyer of Hudson, Paula (Terry) Birsa of Bloomington, Tom (Lynda) McLeese of Bloomington and Jim McLeese of Salem, VA; 23 grandchildren, Zach (Stef) McLeese, Amanda (Ryan) McLeese Pankau and Bridget (Kevin) McLeese Frerichs; Caroline and Ray McLeese; Jennifer (Justin) Eardley Johnson and Angela
(Ben) Eardley Hankes; Andrea (Steve) Wyant Killian, Michael (Anna) Wyant and Adam Wyant; Luke (Tiffany) Troyer and Dan Troyer; Sam, Zoe, Nick, Anna and Tess Birsa; Nate, Will, Nikki and Troy McLeese; Jessica and Sara McLeese; 20 great-grandchildren, Jackson , Gabriella and Victor McLeese; Sawyer and Rowan Pankau; Henry and Rose Frerichs; Kaden and Libby Johnson; Beau Hankes; Alex, Evan, Jude and Audrey Killian; Brynlee and William Wyant; Be’la Rue, Manny and Cassidy Troyer; and Gabriella Andrews. A sister, Patty Stazecki and a brother, Bobby Moore also survive.
She was preceded in death by her parents, five siblings, Bill, Paul, Dick and Eddie Moore, and Eleanor McKalip; and one grandson, Matthew Thomas McLeese.
Mardell was a 1946 graduate of Trinity High School and a 1949 graduate of St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing in Bloomington. Her 55 year career included duty as a floor nurse, surgical nurse, emergency room nurse and school nurse. She served as Bloomington High School’s school nurse from 1972 to 2005. Her work ethic was second to nobody! Her four daughters are all nurses and two of her grandchildren are nursing students. Her two sisters were also nurses. Her dedication to nursing was also demonstrated through her involvement with the St. Joseph’s School of Nursing Alumni Association, where she served as president from 1995-2001.
Mardell was an active member of the Bloomington-Normal Women’s Club. She was committed to her church and her community and to creating memories and tradition for her family. She and Bob worked, sacrificed and modeled what it was to be a family. They created a life for their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren that no amount of money can buy. The memories and moments that they helped create are priceless.
A few of her favorite things included Towanda’s annual Fourth of July celebration, where she served as a Grand Marshall in 2014; serving Tom and Jerry’s to family and friends on Christmas morning; celebrating family birthdays and anniversaries; Ralston Purina, Old Route 66 and Lester Fest and all the activities in which her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were involved;
Mardell liked wine, loved chocolate, she relished getting a good deal and could not do without her daily Pantagraph. She watched Jimmy Fallon almost every night saying, “He is much better that Jay Leno.”
To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.
