Cecelia Leehy

Cecelia Leehy, age 101, of Lincoln, Nebraska and formerly of Storm Lake, Iowa died Friday, May 17, 2013 in Lincoln. Born April 14, 1912 to Charles and Molly (Clancy) Grisby in Aurelia, Iowa with her sisters Mae, Catherine, Irene, and brother Ray, Cecelia loved her life on the farm and told many stories about growing up there. She graduated from Rembrandt High School in 1930 and later married Gene Leehy and moved to Lincoln, Nebraska and lived there until her death. Gene died in 1961 and Cecelia lived alone for over 50 years. She worked for Woodmen Accident & Life for most of her career prior to retirement. She enjoyed her job and made many friends there. Throughout her life, Cecelia stayed in close contact with her family and made many trips to Storm Lake and Northwest Iowa to visit her siblings and her nieces and nephews. She was easy to get along with and had many friends in Lincoln. She worried about others and when someone was in trouble, out came the Rosary and a trip to daily mass at her dear St. Teresaâ€™s Parish to pray for them. When she was well into her 90â€™s and living independently at the Tabitha apartments, she would trek across busy Randolph Street in all kinds of weather to give comfort to her friend Clara, who lie comatose in the Nursing Home. When she became older she insisted on living independently, she was joyous when her niece or nephews visited her. You no sooner got in the door and she was giving you plans to go eat at Perkins, the Pantry, the Country Buffet and a shopping trip to Target. And those many, many stories she loved to tell would begin to flow. Her love of dogs was legend, beginning with a stray that showed up at the farm she named â€œPalâ€ and kept him even against her fathers orders. Then along came â€œButchâ€ â€œJiggsâ€ â€œCappyâ€ 2 â€œPeppersâ€ and finally her grandniece from Colorado brought â€œBearâ€ and â€œIzzyâ€ to brighten her days with several visits. Throughout all of her falls, broken hips, surgeries and illnesses, Cecelia remained positive and cheerful. All of this and much more is why those who knew her, especially her family, dearly loved this amazing person, who made a big difference in those whose lives she touched. She will be greatly missed. Those left to cherish her 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 â€œGeneâ€ Leehy in 1960; her siblings, Mae Kestel, Catherine Kestel, Irene Grigsby, Ray Grigsby, and twin brothers in infancy; niece, Dorothy Kestel; nephews, Norman and Richard Kestel.

Cecelia Leehy

April 14, 1912 - May 17, 2013