Lynn Leach

Lynn Ann Leach, 52, of Rochester, Illinois, passed away on March 26, 2023 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, surrounded by her devoted family. Lynn was born on November 15, 1970 to Jerome and Joan Feeney in Omaha, Nebraska and lived in Council Bluffs until she graduated from Lewis Central Senior High School in 1989. She went on to study Education at Iowa State University.

After graduating with a degree in Education, she started her first job at Mattoon High School. In the fall of 1999 she began her lifelong career as an English teacher at Rochester High School.

During her thirty years of teaching, Lynn’s passion for education and unwavering work ethic impacted countless students and educators.

On November 3, 2012, Lynn married her best friend, Brent Leach. In her words, “My Rock.” Lynn and Brent loved being together whether they were sitting in their backyard oasis with friends and family, watching their kid’s activities, or exploring local restaurants. Lynn’s greatest accomplishment in life was being mom to Cam and Mal. Anyone who knew Lynn could see her immense love and pride for her children. The family loved to travel and had a dream vacation to Hawaii last summer where they were able to make lasting memories.

Lynn was preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Clayton and Mary Daniel, paternal grandparents, Michael and Madeline Feeney. Father-in law, Gary Leach.

She is survived by her husband, Brent Leach, son Cameron Fairbanks, daughter Mallory Fairbanks all of Rochester, Illinois, her parents, Jerome and Joan Feeney, six siblings, Michael Feeney (Emma), Jeff Feeney, Todd Feeney (Jenny), Eric Feeney(Kristen), Alan Feeney(Lisa), Amie Wahl(Jeff). Lynn will also be missed by her mother-in-law (Connie Leach), many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at St. Jude Catholic Church in Rochester, IL on Sunday, April 2 from 2:00-6:00 PM. The funeral will take place at St. Jude Catholic Church on Monday, April 3, at 10:00 AM followed by burial at Rochester Cemetery

In lieu of flowers, Contributions in Lynn’s honor may be made to either Cameron and Mallory’s college fund payable to Bright Directions, c/o Eck, Schafer & Punke, 227 S. 7th Street, Springfield, IL 62701, Hope Lodge-American Cancer Society PO Box 6704 Hagerstown, MD 21741

or St. Jude Catholic Church, 633 S. Walnut, Rochester, IL 62563.