Margaret Jane Stites Leo of Prairie Village, KS passed to a better place on November 2, 2017 following a prolonged illness at the age of 95. Jane was born on October 17, 1922 to Jack and Peg Stites and lived in Emporia, Ks and Bartlesville, OK during her childhood. She was a graduate of the University of Kansas. Jane was a longtime member of Kappa Alpha Theta (75 years), Mission Hills Country Club, Burroughs Audubon Society, Kansas Ornithological Society and Audubon Society of Missouri. She and her husband Bill raised their family in Prairie Village, KS where Jane spent many years perfecting her backyard garden and sharing it with folks on the Wellesley Garden Tour and Burroughs Audubon Garden Tour.
She will join her husband William Leo MD, daughter Peggy, brother Russ Stites, sister Doris Stites Frost, and parents Otto Russell (Jack) and Margaret (Peg) Stites. She leaves behind daughters Kathy (Mike) Leo Lord from Albuquerque New Mexico, Jan Leo from Denver Colorado, Nancy Leo from Overland Park, son Bill (Lori) Leo from Ouray Colorado and brother John Stites Manhattan, KS. She left behind 8 nieces and nephews. She also has six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren who were lucky enough to know this wonderful, funny woman.
The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers at Care Haven Homes and also to her hospice nurse Liz. A private celebration of life will be held for family members. The family requests donations to honor Jane’s memory to be sent to Operation Wildlife, 23375 Guthrie Rd Linwood, KS 66052. Assistance by Funeral Advocates, LLC
What a blessing to have met Jane Leo and many of her family and birding friends. Jane was an intelligent, warm and loving, full of fun woman. I had the privilege of finding a life-bird for her at Watkins Mill State Park, MO one spring during migration. The Alder Flycatcher had eluded her for years, and I heard the bird and confirmed it by voice comparison to taped calls. I have so many great memories of birding adventures with Jane.
Your first 5 minutes spent with Jane gave you a sense of her kind, insightful spirit. I am so grateful to have spent time birding with her. She really helped foster my passion for birds & nature – a great role model. And she was just plain fun to be around. She will be missed but I’ll be reminded of her spirit every time I get a great look at a bird in the wild. Great family too – no small accomplishment.