Vera was born on October 13, 1923 in Hackensack to the late Werner and Emma (Felsmann) Keller. Vera grew up in Rutherford, NJ, next door to her future husband, the writer and historian Robert H. Leckie. They were married in 1946, and moved to Buffalo, NY. They returned to Rutherford in 1951, and moved to Mountain Lakes in 1959 before building a home and settling in Byram Township, NJ, in 1976. She also enjoyed time at their secondary home on Kiawah Island, SC. Vera received an Associate’s Degree from Pace College, and worked for her father at Keller Engineering in Lyndhurst. She was the secretary to the owner of the Buffalo Bills in 1946 – 48. However, for most of her career Vera worked side-by-side with her husband typing his manuscripts and offering editorial comment on his numerous books. Vera and her husband Robert started and were long-time owners of the Sportsmen’s Club in Jefferson, NJ. She enjoyed cooking, entertaining and reading. In 2010, HBO produced a mini-series called “The Pacific,” based on two books, one of which was Robert Leckie’s first book “Helmet for My Pillow,” his experiences in the Pacific in WWII beginning on Guadalcanal. The 10-part series was produced by Tom Hanks and Stephen Spielberg. Vera was portrayed in the series, and was perhaps one of the last survivors with whom the producers worked to create the story told.
The beloved wife to Robert Leckie, Vera is survived by her children, Geoffrey Leckie and his wife, Elizabeth; Joan Leckie Salvas and her husband, Adrien; and David Leckie and his wife, Kim; her grandchildren, Daniel Salvas (Christine), William Salvas (Tiana), Alexander Leckie, Madeline Leckie-King (Robert), Sean Leckie, and Catherine Leckie; and her great-grandchildren, Harrison, Theodore, Finley, and Oliver Salvas. Along with her parents and husband, Vera was predeceased by her brother, Robert Keller.
The visitation is on Monday, January 22, 2024, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Smith-McCracken Funeral Home, 63 High Street, Newton, NJ. A funeral service will begin at 12 p.m. with entombment to follow at Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church Cemetery in Newton, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org/donate. Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.smithmccrackenfuneralhome.com.
