Kathleen "Katie" Mehigan Leonard

During the evening of August 28, 2022, at the age of 85, Katie passed away peacefully. However, not before spending time with each of her 4 children. As a woman of great faith, and it was imagined that she quietly joined hands with her dear, husband John, and they walked off together to enjoy good health and happiness in Eternal Life.

Katie was known for her kindness, sweet disposition, bright blue eyes and her beautiful red hair. Well into her ‘80’s she told people that her hair color was “natural.” She was born September 31, 1936, in Milwaukee, WI to Katherine (a former schoolteacher) & Irving Mehigan (a lawyer and former Wisconsin state senator). As a child, she learned the game of golf, and insisted, even in her last weeks of life, of watching the Golf Channel.

Katie was a graduate of Holy Angels High School and Marquette University’s College of Education, where she was active in student government. She carried on the family tradition of becoming an elementary school teacher. It was at Marquette that she met her late husband, John, at a freshman mixer. He threw a dart at a wall of balloons in an attempt to win tickets to the Homecoming dance. The rest is history! In her senior year Katie was crowned Queen of the Holly Ball, with King John by her side. In 1959 they were married at St. Robert’s Church in Shorewood, WI and went on to celebrate 50+ years of happiness.

With the arrival of children, Katie became a busy mother of four. Family always came first, and she set aside her teaching career to focus on them. John’s corporate moves took her to Columbus, OH and then Arlington Heights, IL. Retirement took them to Inverness. Katie was active in SPRED, SOC and women’s guilds at St. James Parish. She lovingly prepared daily family dinners and hosted festive holiday celebrations for relatives traveling from Milwaukee and California. She was famous for her lasagna, cranberry nut bread, Lemon Jello Cake, “No Brainer Pie” and an array of other specialties! The Christmas tree was decorated with the popcorn garlands that she and John strung for their very first Christmas, and her hand-sewn red felt stockings hung over the fireplace.

When the kids were grown, Katie enjoyed a return to the classroom, substitute teaching at Olive-Mary Stitt School; teaching women English as a second language; activities at Holy Family Church; and travels with John. She was an avid knitter and reader. Katie loved being a grandmother to her 8 grandchildren and enjoyed visits to the pumpkin patch, beach time, and Grandparent’s Week to dote on them.

Katie was a smart shopper and was chosen to appear in print and radio ads for Eagle Food Stores. She refused their offer of being on TV, joking that “She’d happily talk about her family, golf, or her hobbies, but never about groceries.”

Her final years were spent without her beloved John, but she remained staunchly independent by using the CVS pharmacy window to buy her groceries; McDonald’s yogurt parfaits and Jimmy John’s sandwiches as her meals; and the honk of her car horn to purchase gas and make dry cleaner visits. Katie returned to Arlington Heights to live at the Lutheran Home 5 years ago. She began with a cane; then a rollator, and finally a wheelchair, but none proved obstacles to where she wanted to go. Due to her positive nature and strong will to live she survived many medical twists and turns; numerous hospitalizations and COVID. Sprite, Fannie May chocolates, Peach Rings, Frito’s, ice-cream, visits from friends and family, and the telephone kept her going. She always had a wonderful giggle and sense of optimism.

Katie will be greatly missed by her children Kitty Finn (Mark Arvin), John Leonard, Bridget Purdome (Mark), and Mike Leonard (Monica Sullivan); grandchildren Molly, Matthew, Ryan and Julia Leonard; John Jr. and Claire Leonard; Caitlin and Megan Purdome; sister-in-law, Justine Leonard; cousin Bobbi Mehigan; and many, many dear friends who provided her so much joy.

A visitation will be held September 1, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Family Church, 2515 W. Palatine Road, Inverness, IL 60067, followed by a mass at 11:30 a.m. at the church. Burial will be private and at a future date at Holy Cross Cemetery, Milwaukee, WI. In leu of flowers memorials to the Marquette University College of Education are appreciated.

Thank you to the many friends and colleagues who supported Katie and her family through this journey with their time, love, and compassion. A special thanks to the caregivers at the Lutheran Home who took care of her with humor and dedication.

As a fun tribute to Katie, some night before dinner, toast her with a Manhattan with three cherries! Don’t be surprised if you hear a clink back!

The Mass will be lived streamed.

To watch the Mass, click "watch event" to be directed to the Holy Family website. Once there, follow the prompts listed below.

Click on the tab "WATCH LIVESTREAM" in the upper left corner.

Click on the red rectangle button "Watch Funerals and Weddings Stream"

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