Dolores Regina Leckey

Dolores Regina Conklin Leckey, born on April 12, 1933, in the borough of Queens, New York City, New York, to Joseph and Florence (Kelly) Conklin, died peacefully of natural causes on January 17, 2023, in her home in Arlington, Virginia.

Among other things, she served as the first Executive Director of the Laity of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for more than twenty years, was a fellow at the Woodstock Theological Center of Georgetown University, authored eight books, and was one of the founders of the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing. She received many awards and accolades throughout her long life.

She is survived by her children, Mary Kate Marcellus, Celia Leckey, Thomas Joseph Leckey, and Colum Leckey; her children by marriage Ron Marcellus, Ricky Bible, Margaret (Kabalin) Leckey, and Donna Bible; her grandchildren, Alana Brase, Roman Leckey, Monica Leckey, Maria Leckey, Cameron Marcellus, Grace Leckey, and Conor Marcellus; her grandchild by marriage Maria Elkin; her great grandchild Rory Alexander Elkin-Brase; her brother-in-law John Leckey and his wife Myra Leckey, and their children Shannon, Courtney, and Sean, and their families; and her nephews by marriage, Donald, Terry, and Alex Cannon and their families.

Her husband of forty-six years, Thomas Philip Leckey, preceded her in death. Her second husband, Joseph Schatzel, also preceded her in death.

A Wake/Prayer Service will be held on January 25, starting at 7 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held on January 26, starting at 11am. Both events will be held at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 2700 19th St S, Arlington, VA 22204.

And we are put on earth a little space,

That we may learn to bear the beams of love. (W. Blake)