Lisa L. Leahr

Lisa Lynn Leahr, 54, of Winnebago, passed away at home on Monday, March 14, 2022, with a loving family at her side.

Lisa was born in Rockford on July 25, 1967, the daughter of Charles “Chuck” and Teena (Falconer) Newburg. She graduated from Boylan Catholic High School, Class of 1985. Lisa then went on to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Culver-Stockton College in Canton, MO, Class of 1989. She became a proud member of the Chi-Omega sorority and formed a loving bond with many of her sisters that would last a lifetime. A year later, Lisa earned her master’s degree in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration from Western Illinois University, Class of 1991. Shortly after, she married David K. Leahr on May 23, 1992, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Rockford.

Lisa was a long-time member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church, where she was very involved with both the church and school. In addition, Lisa enjoyed volleyball and dedicated much of her time to coaching volleyball at Boylan Catholic High School. In Lisa’s early career, she worked at the Metro Centre which led to her dream job at McCormick Place in Chicago. Lisa was creative, enthusiastic, and talented in planning events whenever needed. She was a long-time employee of Thermo Fisher Scientific and was involved in planning their United Way campaign, Science Olympiad, and Christmas Party.

Along with her creative talent, Lisa was also kind, caring, and charismatic. She enjoyed visiting with old and new friends, whether it was visiting them hours away or simply calling them. Most of all, Lisa cherished her time spent with family and friends and she will be dearly missed by everyone who knew her.

Those left to honor her memory include her husband, David Leahr; children, Stephanie (Kyle) Cluskey and Zachary Leahr; mother, Teena Newburg; brother, Kevin Newburg and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends. Lisa is predeceased by her father and her paternal and maternal grandparents.

The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Wallace, Dr. Maeza, and their team of professionals at UW Madison and Swedish American Cancer Center for their care and compassion with Lisa over the last three and a half years.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Lisa’s name to the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance.

The Mass of Catholic Burial celebration will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 2400 Bell Ave. Rockford, IL 61103.

Visitation will be at Fitzgerald Funeral Home Riverside Chapel Friday, March 25, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. There will also be a short visitation in the parish hall from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. Cremation rites to be accorded following services. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are entrusted to Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, 3910 N Rockton Ave. Rockford, IL 61103. Share online memories and condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com