Rebecca Maher (Becky Leavell)
Wife of Shannon Maher(DHS 67)

Rebecca (Becky) Cecilia (Leavell) Maher of Mingo died at Mercy Hospice- Johnston on Sunday, November 29, 2015 after a short battle with cancer.

Becky was born on October 16, 1949 in Austin, Texas to Eugene and Beaulah (Boots) Leavell. Becky was raised in Austin and later moved to Des Moines, Iowa where she graduated from Saint Joseph's Academy in 1967. Becky married Shannon J. Maher of Mingo in 1969 and raised three sons, Shannon Jr., Scott, and Brian.

Becky was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Valeria, Iowa, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, in Colfax, Iowa and All Saints Parish in Des Moines, Iowa. Becky worked at the Mingo Community School and then Colfax-Mingo Community School in a variety of positions over a 30-year career. Becky was the school nurse, teacher, and finally middle school principal. After retirement from Colfax-Mingo, Becky served on the Colfax-Mingo Community School Board and was an Adjunct Professor at Buena Vista University. A lifelong learner, Becky earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Drake University.

Becky is survived by her husband of 46 years, Shannon Maher of Mingo, her three sons, Shannon Jr. (Katherine), Scott (Janna) both of Overland Park, KS, and Brian (Desiree) of Des Moines. Grandchildren Sophie Maher, Chloe Maher, Bella Maher, Scottie Maher, Grace Allen, Charlie Maher, Noah Allen, and Thomas Maher. Becky is survived by her siblings, Marianne (Doug) Kinney of Ankeny, Barbara Mullen of Armstrong, and Mick (Mary Anne) Polich of Storm Lake, as well as her Uncle Joseph Jesser and Aunt Neda Jesser both of Des Moines. Becky is also survived by many members of her large, extended family with whom she was very close.

Becky was preceded in death by her mother and father, her uncles, Charles Jesser, David Jesser, and her aunts Adele (Edward) Maroon, Emiline (Paul) Israel, and Cecilia (Larry) Polich, and her mother and father in law, Daniel and Patricia Maher.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 2, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Colfax starting at 4:00 p.m. A prayer vigil will follow at 7:30 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be held Thursday December 3 at 10:30 a.m. Following internment at McKeever Cemetery, a celebration of Becky's life will continue at the Mingo Community Center. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Becky's name to the Colfax-Mingo Educational Foundation or Mercy Hospice.