Dora Katherine Leadley

LEADLEY, Dora Katherine (Raad), devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, age 90, passed away Thursday, February 28, 2013. She was surrounded by her family and at peace at the time of her death. She was born in Laurium, Michigan on June 26, 1922 to Joseph and Emily Raad. After graduating from Mercy College of Nursing in Detroit, Dora enlisted in the United States Army in 1945, earning the rank of First Lieutenant, and receiving the American Theater medal and the WWII Victory medal. She served during the Japanese occupation as a charge nurse in an Army hospital in Kyoto. After returning to Michigan, Dora enrolled in Mount Carmel School of Anesthesiology and became a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. She spent the majority of her career working as a nurse anesthetist at St. Joseph Hospital in Flint until her retirement in 1987. After retiring, she continued to keep in touch with her many friends and colleagues from the hospital. Dora married Robert Leadley in 1952 and together they had five children, Joseph (Shelly), Christopher (Ellen Hing), Katherine (Matt Mollon), John (Susan) and Robert, Jr. (Catherine). She cherished her role as grandmother to her 13 grandchildren, Alyson (Nicholas) Kechkaylo, Colleen (Brian) Kelly, Sarah (Nicholas Proite), Heidi, Brian, Joel (Katie) Mollon, Elizabeth, Jay (Mallory), Bret, Joseph, Diana, Emily and Jason Leadley and two great-grandchildren, McKenna and Lillian. Dora was a life-long athlete and sports fan and especially loved playing tennis. She was an active member of the Genesee Valley Tennis Club until she was 81 years old. She was also a member of Holy Family Catholic Church for more than 50 years. Dora will be remembered for her strong spirit, sense of humor and caring nature. She was preceded in death by her parents, loving husband Robert, and brothers. Dora is survived by her family including sister-in-law Ruth Curtis, several nieces, nephews and cousins. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at Holy Family Catholic Church (11804 S. Saginaw St. Grand Blanc, MI) at 11 a.m. with one hour of visitation beginning at 10 a.m. at the church. The family will receive visitors at Hill Funeral Home (11723 S. Saginaw St. Grand Blanc, MI) on Sunday, March 3, 2013 from 4 – 8 p.m., and Monday, March 4 from 4 – 8 p.m. with a Vigil service at 7 p.m. Interment and full military honors will take place at New Calvary Cemetery in Flint. In lieu of flowers, donations may be to the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center and Holy Family Catholic Church. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.hillfh.com.