Ann was born in New York City on May 17, 1926, to Mary Casey and Patrick Leavey. She married John Francis in 1946 in Chicago. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, in 1998; two brothers, Joseph Leavey of Stuttgart, Germany, and William Leavey of New York City; her sister, Catherine Harte of Manchester, New Jersey; two grandchildren, Robert (Robbie) Scott and Sophia Maureen Howard; and a step-sister, Roseanne Browne, of Thousand Oaks, California.
Ann was a woman of deep faith. Her commitment to the Catholic Church, including as a Dominican Associate, was central to her life. She moved to Springfield in 1960 and became a charter member of Christ the King Parish. Ann loved Christ the King. She was a Eucharistic Minister, secretary of the Over 50 Club, funeral luncheon co-coordinator and a faithful caller for the prayer line. She also volunteered in the cafeteria at Christ the King School for many years.
Ann retired from the personnel department at Famous Barr. She was an avid reader and an excellent bridge player.
A devoted wife, mother, daughter-in-law, grandmother of 12 and great-grandmother of 12 – with another one on the way – Ann was also a good friend.
Ann is survived by her five daughters, Sister Patricia Francis, O.P., of Aurora, Illinois; Lynn (Steve) Scott of Springfield, Illinois; Cathy (Bill) Tapscott of Decatur, Illinois; Jamie (Larry) Howard of Chicago, Illinois; and Joanne (Paul) Perona of LaSalle, Illinois. Her 12 surviving grandchildren are Anna (Jack) Farrell; Patrick Scott; Kate (Joe) Siebenaler; Joe Tapscott; John (Nicole) Tapscott; Peter (Kaitlyn), Jonathan, Sophia and Anthony Howard; Paul (Dani), John Patrick and Christine Perona. Ann is additionally survived by a dozen great-grandchildren – Hugo and Ita Farrell; Joseph, Annie, Grace, Juliet and Penelope Siebenaler; Lola, Jax and Piper Tapscott; and Scarlett and Parker Perona – and her nieces and nephews. They are Kevin (Kelly) Harte, Gary (Carol) Harte, Coleen (Michael) Moore, Erin (Mark) McDowell, Bill (Denise) Leavey, Maureen (Roy) Talbert, Roseanne Browne, Bob Browne and Helen (Richard) Poutier.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Springfield Dominican Sister Retirement Fund or St. John’s Breadline.
Visitation: 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m., Thursday, August 28, 2025, at Christ the King.
Funeral Mass: 11 a.m., Thursday, August 28, 2025, at Christ the King with the Reverend Mark Tracy officiating. Burial will follow at a later time at Calvary Cemetery.
Staab Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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