Obituary of Rose Leach

Rose Marie Leach, 97, of Beach Park, IL passed away peacefully at home on May 11, 2020 with family around her. Rose was born in Ottawa, Canada on December 10, 1922. God reached down from above and wrapped you up with all his love. He gently closed your weary eyes as we all said our last goodbyes. He took you by your tired hand and led you to the promised land. Telling you as you crossed the pearly gates, “here are those that await, your husband, your daughter, your grandson too, I now give them back to you”. It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone for a part of us went with you the day God called you home. Rose always had a great sense of humor, easier to laugh than to cry she would say. Her great love of her life was family. She kept us all together in very tough times - basically raised us on her own, she always made sure we would go on vacation, pack us all in the station wagon and usually head north. Once we got there, we would go to the grocery store before getting to the place we were staying and each one of us would have a bag of groceries on our lap. When vacation was over on the way home, with not much money, she could hear whispers of, “I wonder if she will stop at the ice cream store?” After a while we did. She loved traveling, reading, bowling, fishing and life in general. She is survived by her loving children, daughters, Rosalie (Ken) Gotsch of Arkdale, WI, Donna Pannone of Beach Park, IL, Stacey (Mike) Olson of South Milwaukee, WI; sons, James Leach of Willis, TX, Paul (Ann) Leach of Walton, IN, Patrick (Pam) Leach of Waukegan, IL, John (Linda) Leach of Zion, IL and Jimmy (Jane) Downes of Valparaiso, IN. Rose has 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren plus one on the way; and 3 great-great-grandchildren. Rose was preceded in death by her husband Frank Leach; daughter Mary Pannone; and grandson Mike Decker. Unfortunately, these last few years she was not able to do the things she loved like fishing however her last words to me were, “Donna you better put the boat in the water” yes, she was ready. I want to especially thank the Hospice Team at Transitions for the special care to Mom and the family during the time when her journey began. We will have a celebration of her life later when we can all get together and share stories of our Mom.