Joanne T. Leck

A dedicated midwife, mentor, and leader, Joanne Leck, CNM, BA, FACNM, died after a long illness on November 16, 2023 at the age of 80. She was the devoted wife to her husband Bob Leck and a great friend to many.

Joanne was a proud Canadian and graduated in Nursing from the Halifax Infirmary in Nova Scotia. She went on to complete her midwifery education at the Johns Hopkins University Nurse-Midwifery Program in Maryland. It was there that she met her future husband, Bob, when he was a student in the certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist program. Joanne later attended National Lewis University where she advanced her knowledge and skills in education.

Known well to midwives throughout Chicago and Illinois, Joanne served for many years as Director of the Nurse-Midwifery Service, Cook County Hospital (CCH), Chicago, IL and mentor of many staff members and students. At the time, Joanne skillfully led one of the busiest labor and delivery services in the U.S. She managed a large midwifery staff in a challenging environment and worked closely with CCH physicians and administrators, as well as midwifery faculty from the University of Illinois School of Nursing, to ensure respectful and high quality care for childbearing women and their babies. She brought this depth of expertise to become a founding member of the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) Service Directors.

After her leadership at the CCH Nurse Midwifery Service, she was employed by the Chicago Department of Health, and by the Infant Welfare Society, Chicago, IL as Director of Quality Assurance.

Joanne made major contributions to the profession of midwifery and the welfare of mothers and infants through her dedicated service to the ACNM. She served as ACNM Chapter IV 2 Chair and made important contributions nationally as the chair of the national ACNM By-laws Committee. Joanne’s impact on the midwifery profession and to quality maternity care was recognized by the ACNM in 2002 when she was recognized as a Fellow of the ACNM. She will be greatly missed by her colleagues and friends.

Beyond her professional service, Joanne will be remembered as a woman devoted to her faith. A possessor of an operatic voice, she dedicated her musical talents to Our Lady of Victory Parish as the 1st Cantor to lead the church in song. She also served as an Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister, practicing her ministries for more than 35 years. An exceptional hostess, Joanne welcomed any and all to her home.

Joanne was a loving wife, daughter, sister, cousin, friend, surrogate mother to many, including Adam/Lisa Garcia and family. She was predeceased by her loving parents, Anthony and Josephine Salah (Halifax N.S.). She is survived by her husband and soulmate of 57 years Robert Leck, brothers Ron, Ken (Judy), Robert (Gail) Salah. Many nieces, nephews, and cousins who loved her dearly, especially dear cousin Linda Salah who provide such love and support.

Donations in her memory may be sent to the A.C.N.M. Foundation, Inc. – Teresa Marsico Fund

125 Mount Auburn St. #380272

Cambridge, MA 02238-0272

Condolences may be sent to her husband Robert Leck, at Ascension Living Resurrection Village, 7262 W Peterson, Chicago, IL 60631.

Visitation for Joanne will be on Tuesday, November 21st, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Malec & Sons Funeral Home, (Edward A. Tylka, Manager), 6000 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60646. A last viewing & chapel prayers will be on Wednesday, November 22nd, 2023 at 9:30 AM, at Malec & Sons Funeral Home, 6000 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60646. A Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 AM at Immaculate Conception Church, 7211 West Talcott Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60631. Followed by an Interment at Maryhill Catholic

Family and friends of Joanne Leck can access the livestream of her Funeral Mass @ Immaculate Conception Parish via our Twitch Channel:

https://www.twitch.tv/icchicago (no registration required)

The livestream is also accessible via our Immaculate Conception Parish Chicago (Talcott) Facebook Group Page:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/81279048528 (registration required)

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MalecandSonsFH.com for the Leck family.