Dede passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of March 8, 2021, at 85 years of age. She is survived by her son, James Owen Hannay (wife, Alison), and two grandchildren, James Cooper Hannay and Elizabeth Wynne Hannay. She was preceded in death by her son, John Leavell Hannay, sister Louise Leavell Harris and her ex-husband, James Robert Hannay.
She was born in Louisville, KY, on November 20, 1935, to Louise Cooper Leavell and John Nelson Leavell. Dede lived in Louisville until age 17, when she, grudgingly, moved to Richmond, VA, for her senior year of High School and graduated from St. Catherine’s School.
A senior year move disaster was prevented largely by Gene Street, who Dede met shortly after the move to Richmond and who introduced her around and became a longtime friend.
After high school, Dede attended Sweetbriar College where she met her future husband on a blind date arranged by mutual friend, Jack “Slack” Witt. It was love at first sight with the Texan from Dallas who was attending Virginia Military Institute.
After Jim’s military commitment ended, they moved to Dallas and started a life together, ultimately having two boys. Life got more interesting for Dede as she coordinated moving the family to Tokyo, Japan, in 1969. Three years of navigating the Japanese language and customs led her back to Dallas. A divorce several years later introduced her to the joys of single motherhood. Up for the challenge and dedicated to her boys, she managed the family (and the teenage hormones) and also found time to work for the H.B. Hughes Company.
Throughout her life, Dede was a kind, fun, caring person who enjoyed her family, traveling and laughing with her long-standing bridge group. Kind to everyone, her sons recall being asked at every appointment they ever went to…“How is your Mother?” It became a family joke.
Over the years, Dede was always active in the boys’ schools, and she was a long-standing Altar Guild Member at St. Michael and All Angels Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to , 8011 Douglas Avenue, Dallas, TX, 75225.
