Beata J. Leary (nee Barnes), 87, longtime resident of Riverside, died on Aug. 20, 2024. Born on Jan. 18, 1937, she started her career at Northern Illinois Gas Co., was a teacher at St. Mary School, and alumni director at Rosary College, then transitioned into the medical profession as a medical office administrator. She loved tennis, skiing, swimming and biking, and grew up playing golf at the Riverside Golf Club with her family. She was a talented calligrapher and an overall creative soul.
Beata was the wife of Joseph Leary; the mother of Debbie (Greg) Alm and Susie (John) McMahon; the grandmother of Frank McMahon, Jane Alm, Emma Alm, Kyle McMahon, Elsa McMahon and Eva Haefner; the sister of the late Dr. Robert Theodore Barnes; and was known as Aunt B to many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Visitation was held at the Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, 10501 W. Cermak Road. Services were held on Aug. 27 at St. Mary Church. Interment was private.
In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated to Misericordia Home (www.misericordia.com) or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org).
Arrangements were entrusted to the Original Kuratko Family – Kenneth D. Kuratko, funeral director