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Leah Emma MacDonald

Leah Emma MacDonald, 104, died Monday, Aug. 18, 2014, at home in Woodstock, surrounded by her family. 

She was born Dec. 21, 1909, to William and Hildegard (Jurries) Haffron in Hinckley . 

On May 2, 1941, she married Raymond W. MacDonald. 

She graduated from West Chicago Community High School in 1928. As a young woman, she worked as a nurse for Dr. Harry W. Kinnie for many years, helping deliver babies. Except for a stint living at Fort Benning, Ga., while her husband served in the Army during World War II, she lived in West Chicago for much of her life, enjoying her many friends and charitable endeavors. 

She also took great pride in being the “First Lady of DuPage County” during the sixteen years her husband served as county clerk.

She was a gifted baker, turning out several loaves of homemade bread every week well into her 90s. Her homemade doughnuts, especially the holes, were legendary and much loved by all of the children in her family. Although Leah was never blessed with children of her own, she was a loving and supportive presence in her family, helping to raise three generations of children. Not long after her husband’s death in 1980, she moved to Woodstock to be closer to her niece and her family. 

Survivors include a niece, Nancy Moore; three great-nieces, Tamara Reed, Jo (John) Williams and Stacy (Joe) Kotyza; a great-great-nephew, Casey Reed; and a great-great-niece, Riley Kotyza.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; two sisters, Evelyn Lyon and Mildred Lyon; two brothers-in-law, Forrest Lyon and Charles Lyon; and a great-great-nephew, Parker Lyon Williams.

Visitation was held Aug. 21 at the Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, Woodstock. Interment and a private graveside service were at Glen Oak Cemetery, West Chicago.

Donations can be made to the Parker Lyon Williams Foundation, JourneyCare Hospice & Palliative Care or a charity of the donor’s choice.

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