In loving memory of
Leah F. Mendelson
October 9, 2003
Leah F. Mendelson, 96, a resident of Sunset Home, (formerly of 1631 Maine) died Thursday, October 9, 2003 at 12:05 AM at Sunset Home.
She was born April 24, 1907 in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of Samuel and Rebecca Liebson Mestman. On June 15, 1930, she married Lawrence Mendelson in St. Louis, MO. He preceded her in death on February 28, 1989.
Leah and Lawrence Mendelson came to Quincy in 1932 and opened the Busy Bee Merc. Co. Family and friends in St. Louis warned them about opening a business during the height of the Depression, but they both worked very hard to make it a success. Obviously, their work paid off, as in August, the store celebrated its 71st anniversary.
Leah was a warm and loving person and dedicated her life to others. She had many friends in and out of the community.
Mrs. Mendelson was a member of B'nai Sholom Temple. She held the offices of Secretary and President of the Sisterhood as well as dedicating her time teaching Sunday School.
Leah was very active during World War II and knit sweaters and socks for soldiers abroad. She also rolled bandages at the Health Department. She assisted young people with Cerebral Palsy making rugs at the Good Samaritan Home, was very active in the Civic Musis Association and worked on drives for the Heart Association.
Leah enjoyed following the Cardinals, was an avid reader, loved to garden, go to auctions and collected antiques. But, most of all, she was a kind and gentle wife and mother who gave of herself totally to her family, her children and later, her grandchildren.
Survivors include a daughter, Sandra Nachenberg and her husband Robert, Quincy; a son, Ted Mendelson and his wife Joan, Oakland, CA; 4 grandchildren, Jeffrey Nachenberg and his wife Nicki, Houston, TX; Richard Nachenberg and his wife Linda, Coral Springs, FL; Timothy Mendelson, Los Angeles, CA; Jill Rivera and her husband Gabriel, Los Angeles, CA; 6 great grandchildren, Alex, Tess, Jay, Koby and Ty Nachenberg and Nicholas Lee Rivera, a sister-in-law Doreen Mestman, Deerfield Beach, FL; brother-in-law, Jack Katz, St. Louis, MO; brother -in-law and sister-in-law Albert and Janet Mendelson, St. Louis; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, an infant son William Joel, 2 sisters Mollie Brockman and Gertrude Katz and 2 brothers William and Morris Mestman
Funeral Services will be 11 A.M. Sunday, October 12, at the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home, Mike Saul officiating. Burial in Valley of Peace, Quincy. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 P.M. Saturday at the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to B'nai Sholom Temple, Alzheimer's Association or Sunset Home.