Donna Mae Leeson

Donna Mae V. Leeson passed away on Tuesday, December 26, 2017, less than 2 weeks prior to her 87th birthday. She was born in Nebraska and the only child of Marcella F. Tieskoetter and Martin T. Vanderheiden. The Vanderheiden family resided in Elgin, Nebraska prior to moving to Buffalo, New York. While attending college in Buffalo, she met Robert Alan Leeson and married him on November 6, 1950. They resided in East Aurora, New York and had three children prior to moving to Fort Lauderdale, Florida for 1 year, then Atlanta, Georgia for 1½ years, and finally settling in New Orleans, Louisiana in January, 1965, for the rest of their lives. Donna was a full time mother that was always a part of all her children’s and grandchildren’s lives. She truly raised all three children by being a den mother/leader for: Cub Scouts, Brownies, and Girl Scouts. She helped with homework and school projects to make sure all her children exceeded in school and in life. She had a passion for cooking and baking. She collected cook books and had always wanted to write a cook book. She was a cook off finalist and winner several times in the “Times-Picayune” cooking contest. She loved cooking and participating in Newcomer’s Gourmet Club, her Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, and AARP local chapters. She held numerous board positions with the groups. In the 1970’s, she was a member of the Krewe of Iris and was a Maid with her husband “Bob” as her Duke. She was preceded in death by only 70 days by her husband, Robert Alan Leeson. She was also preceded by her youngest child and only daughter, Martha Ann Leeson Morgan (Matthew) in 2005. She was survived by her two sons: Robert Alan Leeson, Jr. and Jeffry Arthur Leeson, D.D.S. (Pamela). She also was survived by Martha’s four sons: Matthew Christian Morgan, Daniel Leeson Morgan (Elizabeth), Patrick Joseph Morgan, and Charles William Morgan, R.N. A graveside service with the family will be private.