Antonietta F. Leeds

The proud daughter of Italian immigrants who came to this country in search of the American Dream, Antonietta Leeds helped make their dream a reality. Born in Cumberland, Maryland, in 1920, “Tonie” entered the University of Michigan’s college of Architecture and Design in 1938. In class she met her future husband, George Leeds, also a talented artist. They married weeks after Pearl Harbor. She finished her B.A. months later.

Tonie’s life was lovingly devoted to family, friends, and helping others. Retiring at the age of 80, she worked for more than 50 years as an art teacher and activity therapist at the University of Michigan Hospital School – first at Old Main and later at Mott Children’s Hospital. She also served as the school’s principal for several years. An animal lover, she and a friend started the pet therapy program at Mott.

Tonie earned a master’s degree in special education of hospitalized and homebound children and taught many courses in methods and materials to college students at the University of Michigan’s and Eastern Michigan University’s schools of education.

Blessed with longevity, she witnessed history and shared the lessons she learned from the paucity of the Great Depression, the sacrifices of World War II, the fears of a mother during the Vietnam War, the value of hard work to achieve success, the love of this country and the freedoms we enjoy, and the importance of faith in God.

She is survived by her son, Roland (Mary) of Ann Arbor; daughter Andrea (Joseph) of Naperville, IL; grandchildren Kelli (Matt) of New York City; Christina (Darren) of Aurora, CO; Anthony (Andrea) of Birmingham, MI; and great grandchildren, Noa, Vivian, Kaya, Deegan, Mackayla, Bodhi, and Harbor. She was preceded in death by her husband, George, and a son, David.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 11, at Muehlig Funeral Chapel in Ann Arbor, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 p.m.

Visitation will be held again on Friday, May 12, at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church in Saline, beginning at 10:30 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:30 a.m., with a luncheon to follow at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.