Leehy, Cecelia (1912-2013)

LEEHY, GRISBY, KESTEL, FISHER

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 6/4/2013 at 19:24:54

Cecelia Leehy
April 14, 1912 - May 17, 2013

Lincoln, Nebraska, and formerly Storm Lake, Iowa

Cecelia Leehy, age 101, of Lincoln, Nebraska, and formerly of Storm Lake, Iowa, died on Friday, May 17, 2013, in Lincoln.

Born on April 14, 1912, to Charles and Molly (Clancy) Grisby in Aurelia, Iowa, Cecelia grew up on the family farm with her three sisters, Mae, Catherine, Irene, and a brother, Ray. She loved her life on the farm and could tell many stories about her childhood experiences there.

Cecelia graduated from Rembrandt High School in 1930 and later married Gene Leehy. They moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, where she lived until her death. After Gene died in 1961, Cecelia lived alone for over fifty years. Before retiring, she worked for Woodmen Accident and Life for most of her career. She enjoyed her job and made many friends there.

Throughout her life, Cecelia stayed in close contact with her family, making many trips to Storm Lake and Northwest Iowa to visit her siblings, nieces, and nephews. Easy to get along with, she had many friends in Lincoln. She worried about others and when they were in trouble, she would take out her rosary and go off to daily mass at her dear St. Teresa’s Parish to pray for them. When she was well into her 90s and living independently at the Tabitha apartments, she would even trek out across busy Randolph Street in all kinds of weather to give comfort to her friend, Clara, who lay comatose in the nursing home there. As she became older, she still insisted on living independently.

Joyous when her niece or nephews came to visit, Cecelia was already making plans to eat at Perkins, the Pantry, or the Country Buffet and to go shopping at Target the minute they stepped through the door. And those many, many stories she loved to tell would begin to flow.

Cecelia had a legendary love of dogs, beginning with a stray that showed up at the farm. She named him “Pal” and kept him in spite of her father’s orders. Then along came “Butch,” “Jiggs,” “Cappy,” two “Peppers,” and finally her grandniece from Colorado brought “Bear” and “Izzy” to brighten her days with several visits.

Throughout all of her falls, broken hips, surgeries, and illnesses, Cecelia remained cheerful. Because of her positive outlook on life, those who knew her, especially her family, dearly loved this amazing person, who made such a big difference in those whose lives she touched. She will be greatly missed.

Those left to cherish Cecelia’s memory include her five nephews and one niece: Bill Kestel, Charles Grigsby, Marlan Grigsby, Jack Kestel, Lanny Grigsby and Phyllis (Kestel) Fisher. Also surviving are Jean (Richard) Kestel and Lois (Norman) Kestel.

Cecelia was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Mary (Clancy) Grigsby; her husband, Eugene “Gene” Leehy, in 1960; her siblings, Mae Kestel, Catherine Kestel, Irene Grigsby, Ray Grigsby, and twin brothers in infancy; her niece, Dorothy Kestel; and nephews, Norman and Richard Kestel.

Visitation: 1:00 p.m., May 21, 2013, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake, Iowa.
Mass of Christian Burial: 2:00 p.m., May 21, 2013, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake, Iowa.
Interment: May 21, 2013, at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Storm Lake, Iowa.

Copyright © 2013, Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Homes

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