Cleo Ewing Leppo

 St. David - Cleo Ewing Leppo, 100, originally of St. David, IL, passed away in her sleep on Friday, August 25, 2017, in Seattle, WA. She was born February 8, 1917, in Dunfermline, IL to George William and Nellie (Thomas) Ewing. She married Samuel Leppo, USAF, on December 31, 1951, at Andrews Air Force Base in Prince George’s County, MD. He preceded her in death on May 23, 2000. Her parents; brothers, Clyde Ewing and Carlos Ewing; and infant sister Mary Elizabeth Ewing, also preceded her in death.
 
Cleo was an unusually caring person whose kindness and generosity towards others continued throughout her life. She was a supporter of women’s rights, unions, and equality for all. She spent several years in Japan, which influenced her appreciation for wabi-sabi and the beauty of nature in everyday life. She was an avid reader and crossword enthusiast. Cleo enjoyed learning about and experiencing other cultures, religions, and cuisines. She was an outstanding cook who was always trying new recipes. Cleo loved gardening and had an amazing green thumb. African violets were her favorites. Her times spent surrounded by family in St. David were her fondest memories.
 
Cleo worked for Buckheart Township social services and Camp Ellis before moving to Washington, DC to join the Navy during WWII. After the war ended she joined the Naval Reserves and worked as a secretary at the Pentagon. When Cleo and Sam returned from Japan, they settled in Vienna, VA, where Cleo enjoyed raising her children, feeding the birds and squirrels, and gardening. When her children were grown, she returned to work for the State Department at the Agency for International Development in Washington, D.C. In 1997 Cleo and Sam moved back to St. David, where Cleo resided until moving to Seattle in September 2008.
 
Cleo was a Sunday school teacher and former member of the St. David Methodist Church.
 
Cleo is survived by her daughter Nella Leppo, Fairfax, VA; son Jeffrey (Robin) Leppo, Seattle, WA: grandchildren Emma Leppo, Brooklyn, NY, and Sam Leppo and Peter Leppo of Seattle, WA; nieces Kathy (Lyle) White of San Jose, CA; Sue (Mike) Dalton, East Peoria, IL; Judy Ryan, Fort Myers, FL; and Amy (Neal) Mandell, Simsbury, CN; nephews John (Glenda) Ewing, College Station, TX; Douglas Franks, NY; great-niece Melanie (Gzim) Abazi, Trenton, IL and special cousin Terry Davis, St. David, IL.
 
Cremation rights have been accorded and a memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 23, 2017 at Oak-Hines Funeral Home in Canton, IL. Burial will be at the Greenwood Cemetery in Canton, immediately following the service. Memorial gifts may be made to the Women in Military Service for America Memorial, Dept. 560, Washington, DC, 20042-0560.
 
To view a memorial tribute video or to leave online condolences, please visit www.oakhinesfuneralhome. com.