Betty M. Leamy

Betty M. Cheatham Leamy, 87, of Ottawa, passed away Saturday morning, January 26, 2013 at Ottawa Pavilion. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at St. Patrick's Church in Ottawa with Rev. Joseph Donton officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.Wednesday, prior to services, at Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery. Betty was born February 6, 1925 in Dwight, Illinois, to Harve and Alma (Horn) Cheatham. She married John "Bud" Leamy in March of 1943 at Fort Benning Field, Georgia. Bud passed away in 2000. She was also preceded in death by her parents and one grandson, Thomas Leamy. Surviving children are Peggy (Gene) Hampson of Springfield, David (Judy) Leamy of Peru, Dennis (JuleAnn) Leamy of Ottawa, and Kathy (Kim) Boe of Naperville. There are eleven surviving grandchildren, Cindy and Chris Hampson, Paula McNair, Tricia Holtz, Tara Washkowiak, Tina Ritko, Lisa Myers, Alex Berger, Doug Leamy, Kori and Mitchell Boe and nine great grandchildren. Betty is also survived by a brother, Robert Cheatham of Marengo, and a sister, Dorothy (Bob) Newman of Deer Park Township. Betty had the distinction of being one of the first female cheerleaders in OHS history. Betty worked for many years in downtown Ottawa in retail jewelry stores and was a past member of the Women of the Moose and the St. Patrick's Altar and Rosary Society. She and Bud enjoyed golf in later life and being with friends. Memorials may be directed to St. Patrick's Church.