O'Neal, Leigh Ann Soupene

Leigh Ann Soupene O'Neal of Brookfield, Ill., formerly of Anamosa, succumbed to cancer in her home Aug. 4, 2009, surrounded by her family. A memorial service celebrating Leigh's life will be held 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, at Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 West 31st St., Brookfield, Ill. Visitation will be before the memorial service, 4 to 8 p.m.

Surviving Leigh are her husband, Kevin; their children, Rebecca and Henry, at home; her parents, Macey and William Soupene, Anamosa; her brothers, Robert (Julie), Anamosa, James, Reno, Nev., and John (Amy), Ankeny; mother-in-law, Florence O'Neal, and brothers-in-law, Charles (Betty) and Joseph, all of West Palm Beach, Fla.; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Leigh was preceded in death by her father-in-law, Charles O'Neal, West Palm Beach; and grandparents, Orville and Velma Soupene and Frank and Dorothy Young, all of Manhattan, Kan.

Leigh was born in the early morning hours, the day after Christmas 1965 in Englewood, Colo. She graduated from Anamosa High School in 1984 and in 1988 with her Bachelor of Science in education degree from Cornell College. She and Kevin O'Neal of West Palm Beach married June 11, 1988, in Anamosa. She was employed as associate manager of Fuji Film of America, Chicago. For the past several years she was a stay-at-home mom and was employed by Spencer Stuart Agency of Chicago as an information research specialist.

Leigh excelled at art and the making of pottery. She actively involved herself in her children's schools and their activities, especially gymnastics, football and baseball. She loved her three dogs and her cat. She surrounded herself with multiple friends, many of whom gave her special care and attention during her illness.

A memorial fund for her children has been established.

"When our mortal eyes close on this world for the last time, our angels open our spiritual eyes and escort us personally before the face of God."