MARGARET MONTGOMERY LEO

MARGARET MONTGOMERY LEO
Margaret M. Leo of Butler, Pennsylvania, passed away on October 30, 2020.
She was born in Joplin, Missouri, and attended Joplin High School. An active member of the Phi Beta Chapter of the Chi Omega Sorority, she graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1957, earning a Bachelor of Science in Education with a Minor in English.
Margaret was a first grade teacher in the Butler School District. She remained an active volunteer in the Butler community throughout her life. Margie enjoyed needlepoint, music, flowers, her beloved pets, bridge club, time spent with family and friends, travel, shopping, and was an avid genealogist.
Margaret’s interest in genealogy began in 1976, when she embraced the challenge of researching and tracing her own family history to a patriot in the American Revolution. Thus began her journey in tracing and exploring the extensive branches of her own family tree, as well as assisting others, many of whom became lifelong friends, in discovering their forefathers.
After joining the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution in 1977, she served as General Richard Butler Chapter Regent 1986-1989 and later a Past Pennsylvania District Director state officer. In 1978, she organized the Elizabeth McKinney Society Children of the American Revolution, assisting twelve children in charter membership applications, and serving as the first Senior Society President.
Through her genealogical endeavors, Margaret held membership in an extensive list of lineage societies. She served as National President of the National Society Daughters of Colonial Wars from 2007-2010, and held the title of Honorary National President for life. She served as President General of the National Society Children of the American Colonists, and held the title Honorary President General for life.
She served as President of the Connoquenessing Chapter Daughters of the American Colonists, and as a Pennsylvania State Officer. She served as President of the Three Rivers Chapter, National Society Colonial Dames of the Seventeenth Century.
Margaret was an active member of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants; the Hereditary Order of the Descendants of Colonial Governors; the National Society Dames of the Court of Honor; National Society of New England Women; The National Society of Women Descendants of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company; The Hereditary Order of Descendants of the Loyalists and Patriots of the American Revolution; National Society United States Daughters of 1812; United Daughters of the Confederacy; The Governor William Bradford Compact; First Families of Maine; the Order of Americans of Armorial Ancestry; the National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims; the Dutch Settlers of Albany; the Order of the First Families of New Hampshire; and the Dutch Colonial Society; and the National Society of the Southern Dames of America.
She held membership in the Butler Garden Club, the Gatewood Homeowners Association, the University of Pittsburgh Alumni Association, Chi Omega Sorority, P.E.O. Sisterhood Chapter CC; and St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church. She was a member of the National Gavel Society, and was commissioned a lifetime member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels.
Margaret was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Peter Anthony Leo, whom she married on Nov 27, 1957 at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Pittsburgh, PA. Peter was well known in the Butler community as a pharmacist and owner of Butler Family Drug Stores.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Cecil and Ruth Montgomery, and a brother, the Reverend William Montgomery.
Margaret is survived by four children: Sharon Leo Clouse and her husband Dr. Richard Clouse, of Glasgow, Kentucky; Pamela Leo Zelinka and her husband Frank (Bud) Zelinka, of Butler; Stacey Leo Panei and her husband Vernon Panei of Hollywood, Maryland; and Peter Montgomery Leo of Indian Head, Maryland; one sister: Mrs. Susanne McCowan, of El Paso, Texas; one sister-in-law: Mrs. Cathy Montgomery, of North Ridgeville, OH; and four nieces and four nephews. She is survived by nine grandchildren: Dr. Margaret Clouse Deibel, Dr. Meredith Clouse, Mr. Nick Panei, Dr. Mallory Clouse, Mr. Anthony Panei, Mr. Mitchell Clouse, Miss Susanne Panei, Mr. Cameron Zelinka, and Miss Ivy Katherine Leo; and one great granddaughter, Miss Lisa Margaret Deibel.
Friends will be received at Thompson – Miller Funeral Home, Inc., 124 East North Street, Butler, PA on Friday, November 6, 2020, 4 to 7 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul Roman Catholic Church, Butler, PA. Entombment at the Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to Shriners Hospitals for Children, https://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/shc/donate, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences made be made at www.thompaon-miller.com