Jeanne Leezer

Jeanne Ann (Gagnepain) Leezer, 73, of Rockford, Illinois, passed away peacefully following a sudden illness on August 26, 2025, surrounded by her family.

The daughter of Urban and Dorothy Gagnepain, Jeanne was born on September 30,1951 in Elmhurst, Illinois. She attended Northern Illinois University, where she was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. It was also at NIU that she met the love of her life and beloved husband, David. They shared 52 years of marriage, a lifetime of memories, and were a constant source of support for each other.

Jeanne began her career as a teacher for the deaf and hard of hearing before becoming a child birth educator. For 22 years, she helped hundreds of families welcome new life. She was frequently recognized and stopped by the families she taught, who expressed gratitude for the support she gave during such an important time in their lives.

Above all of her callings, Jeanne was a woman of deep Catholic faith. She was a devoted member and pillar of the Holy Family Catholic Church community in Rockford, IL, where she served on the parish staff for over 12 years, first as a Director of Family Life and later as the Director of Adult Formation. Professionally, she was proudest of her role as the co-author and director of Light of the World Evangelization Ministries, which offers its evangelization process to Catholic parishes all over the world.

She was beloved by many people and touched countless lives with her gift for conversation. Her warmth and kindness drew people to her and she nurtured cherished relationships throughout her life. Jeanne formed lifelong friendships and instinctively stepped in during times of illness or crisis, always offering comfort and spiritual direction.

Jeanne was the proud and devoted mother to Adam Leezer (Ashley), Gretchen Leezer, and Scott Leezer (Cortney Krauss). She was the adoring “Gaga” to six grandchildren: Nolan, Rory, Luca, Finley, Sully, and Gemma. Her family will forever remember her humor, joy when traveling – especially in her RV – an endless imagination while playing make-believe with her grandchildren, and her love for spontaneous dance parties.

In addition to being survived by her husband, children and grandchildren, she is also survived by her sister, Mary George (Russ), and her brother, Peter Gagnepain, with whom she shared lifelong bonds. Jeanne was a devoted aunt to many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews, whom she cherished as if they were her own children and grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 7, 2025, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford, IL, from 3:00-6:00 p.m. It will conclude with praying the rosary at 5:40 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, September 8, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 4401 Highcrest Road, Rockford, IL preceded by a visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. Burial service will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Jeanne’s memory to St. Vincent de Paul Rockford Council, https://www.svdprockfordcouncil.org/, Light of the World Evangelization Ministries https://www.lotwem.org/, or a charity of your choice.