Mary Francis Leisk

Mary Francis Leisk, 93, of Cottonwood died April 7. She was born September 26, 1911 in Prescott, and she lived all but 20 of her 93 years there and in the Verde Valley, in Clarkdale and Jerome, until the mine closed in 1952, and in Cottonwood from 1972 until her death. Mary Francis attended the University of Arizona, did bookkeeping, sold children\u0027s resource books and raised her family. When her husband retired they moved back to the Verde Valley that she loved, where she was a member of Immaculatae Conception Catholic Church and the Ladies Altar Guild. Throughout her life she was devoted to her faith. At age 92, she professed as a Third-Order Secular Franciscan. She was probably best known for her work with the Verde Valley Senior Citizen Center. Mary Francis worked as the executive director and grant coordinator for over twenty years. She was instrumental in establishing the Meals-On- Wheels Program that delivers hot meals to the elderly. She served on the Governor\u0027s Commission on Aging and was selected by Senator Dennis DeConcini to attend a conference on aging in Washington, DC. She was also involved with and part of the Verde Valley Caregivers. Mary Francis devoted her life to her family and to helping others, and made a valued difference in many lives wherever she went. Her life and her actions were guided by her firm belief that \u0027\u0027This country belongs to the little people, to the ordinary citizens\u0027\u0027. She will be missed. Mary Francis was preceded in death by her beloved husband, George in November, 1987. She is survived by sons Harry and Gerald, daughter Mary Anne, six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. A visitation will be held on Sunday, April 10 in the Westcott Funeral Home from 5-7 with a Rosary at 7 PM. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, April 11 in the Immaculate Conception Church at 10 AM. Burial will be in the Valley View Cemetery. Donations in her memory may be made to the Verde Valley Senior Center, P O Box 681, Cottonwood at 86326.