Dorothea M. "Dot" Leakey

Dorothea M. "Dot" Leakey, 79, of Topeka, passed away on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at McCrite Plaza in Topeka. She was born March 15, 1945 in Berwyn, Illinois, the daughter of Clarence A. and Pauline (Merschdorf) Lewis. 

Dot graduated from Louisburg High School, Louisburg, Kansas in 1963. She attended Emporia Teachers College and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from Washburn University. She later earned a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Kansas.

Dot was employed as Chief of Social Services by the State of Kansas for 17 years before retiring. She had resided in Berryton for 20 years and in Topeka since 2019. She was a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church where she served as an usher, the Kiwanis Club of Berryton and served as Governor for the Kiwanis District of Kansas.

Dot married Donald R. "Don" Leakey on June 20, 1964 in Wea, Kansas. They were married for 58 years. He preceded her in death on June 8, 2022. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Clarence P. Lewis while serving in the Vietnam War.

Survivors include children, Richard D. (Jackie) Leakey of Valley Falls, Kansas, Cheryl (Cecil) Rockhold of Ottawa, Kansas, Timothy L. (Denise) Leakey of Topeka, and Steven C. (Kellee) Leakey of Topeka, ten grandchildren, Kyle Sanders, Lance Leakey, Jacob Leakey, Tyler Leakey, Monica (Sanders) Beal, Mayria (Sanders) Becker, Laramie (Leakey) Bassler, Brittany (Leakey) Honey, Mikayla Leakey, Dustin Leakey and eleven great-grandchildren, Alannah Leakey, Clarence Paul Leakey, Quinn Honey, Taytum Leakey, Rhea Leakey, Qarsyn Honey, Tilly Jo Honey, Natalee Leakey, Emmett Becker, Bodie Beal and Payton Becker, and her sister, Beatrice (Francis) Butel of Jefferson City, Missouri. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 25, 2024 at St. Matthew Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Lynn Creek Cemetery southeast of Topeka. A Parish Rosary will be prayed at 5:00 p.m. Thursday, October 24, 2024 at Dove Southeast Chapel, 2843 SE Minnesota Ave. where the family will receive friends following the Rosary from 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. 

Memorial contributions may be given to the Tecumseh Kiwanis Club, PO Box 5, Tecumseh, Kansas 66542 or to Gentiva Hospice, 5375 SW 7th St., Ste. 500, Topeka, Kansas 66606.

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