Shirley Ilene Leanna, 71, of Palmyra, passed away on Dec. 24, 2014, in her home surrounded by loved ones, ending her fight against cancer.
She was born Shirley Ilene Casey in Woodstock, Ill., the daughter of Dorothy and Kenneth Casey. Shirley graduated from Woodstock Community High School in 1961and has continued to have yearly reunions with her classmates where she found friendship and support. On December 15, 1962, she married the love of her life, Raymond Leanna Jr. in Marengo, Ill. They moved to Palmyra in the Fall of 1965 where they have resided ever since.
Her mother and father precede her in death. She is survived by her husband, Ray; her children, Randy (Anne) Leanna of Eagle, Sheri (Mike) Peardon of Palmyra, and Mary (Rob) Hollenberger of Palmyra; her grandchildren Benjamin, Jessica, Gabrielle, Mikayla, Ella, Alena of Palmyra, and Megan of Eagle; by her sisters Sandra (Steve) Pierce of Huntley, Ill., and Deborah (Gary) Noonan of Sharon; sister-in-law Karen Magnuson of Chetek; as well as two nieces and six nephews.
Shirley ran the office for Ray Leanna Construction for 40 years. Anyone who knew Shirley, knew she was an impeccable bookkeeper. Her checkbook was balanced to the penny, and if it wasn’t, she was going to find out why. Shirley also enjoyed scrapbooking, sewing and quilting and passed her love of these hobbies onto her grandkids. She treasured her monthly Janome Sewing Club with the ladies at Kari’s Sew Unique. She was also a proud Red Hat Lady for many years.
Shirley loved spending time at their cabin on Lake Puckaway watching the water while Ray fished. She loved crocheting, and would sit on their deck by the water and crochet for hours. For the past three years since receiving her diagnosis she has crocheted over 35 prayer shawls for her fellow cancer patients. She had a passion for genealogy and has traced her Casey family roots back to the Revolutionary War.
Shirley loved her Grandkids, and everyone around her knew it. She was always very proud of them and their accomplishments. She led by example and taught them all how to be hard working, loving, giving people. She encouraged them to learn Golf and came to all of their school and sporting events. Ray and Shirley were married for 52 years and 9 days. During that time, Ray gave her everything her heart desired, from a house in the woods where they could watch the deer, turkeys, squirrels and birds, to a cabin on the lake where they could watch the water.
Visitation was held on Saturday at Haase-Lockwood funeral home, 320 W. Main St, Palmyra, with a memorial service.
