Sunday, January 22, 2012

Leeson - Elizabeth Mackie Margaret (nee Murrison)

When Arthur Frank Vanek and Mona Inez Leeson wed on August 31, 1949 they linked the following family trees, [Maternal ~ Muench and Leeson] [Paternal ~ Vanek and Gremaux].

Alfred Leeson had died of a heart attack, and was survived by his wife, Elizabeth Margaret (nee-Murrison) Leeson, son, Albert , who was ten years old,  and two daughters, Alice and Ethel.

The girls were in their teens when Elizabeth moved the family into Spokane, Washington, relinquishing the dream of proving up on their homestead, which was situated on the rolling Palouse farmland, nearer to  her parents and bothers who homesteaded at Mansfield, Washington. (See, Murison Homesteads )

To support herself and her family, Elizabeth bought a big house and rented out furnished rooms and provided good meals for her 'roomers'.

The Murison family was Lutheran, and Elizabeth attended beautiful St. John's Cathedral, located on south Grand Blvd. in Spokane, Washington. She and her daughters did fine needlework and crocheted. All three children married and began their own families. Alice married John DeHaven, and Ethel married Ray Garland. After returning from 'riding the rails' Albert 'Al' married Gertrude. They divorced. Following a summer-long courtship, Al married Ottilie Muench in November 1929.

After Elizabeth's children left home, Elizabeth 'Beth' married Lt. Col. Jack Roberts, pictured on this November 19, 1926 postcard.  He wrote on it, "Dear Beth, What do you think of our 'garden' party?" Whereabouts of the scene are unknown.

Elizabeth died December 26, 1933. Accompanied by Frank Leeson, her 8-year old grandson who lived with her, they were crossing a  street in downtown Spokane when struck down by a motorist, killing Elizabeth.  She's buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Lot 69, Block 21, in Spokane, Washington.


 

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