Maribeth Leigh

Ms. Maribeth S. Leigh, of Athens Georgia, passed away on Saturday, October 14, 2023. Maribeth was born on September 2, 1946 in Wood River, IL to Nicholas and Margaret Skundrich. She attended St. Bernard's Catholic grade school in Wood River Il and graduated from Marquette Catholic High School in nearby Alton Il in 1964. She played varsity women's basketball. She worked for the Olin Mathieson Corporation's purchasing department for several years. She married Thomas Walter Leigh of Alton IL on June 14, 1969. She attended SIU Edwardsville, Lincoln Land C.C. (Springfield Il), and Indiana University. She completed her Bachelor's in P.E. at IU (Bloomington).  Her graduation from IU was one of the highlights of her life. She employed it well in a varied teaching and coaching career. She also enjoyed playing women's softball and golf. Hoosier basketball game attendance was a major treat as the Hoosiers were tops in the BIG Ten.

Maribeth's adventuresome nature enabled her to teach and coach at the elementary level in State College, PA. and Athens GA. She was always at the center of organized youth team sports activities. In State College, she was also a rabid Nittany Lion football fan. A second highlight of her life was Penn State's National Championship seasons in 1982 and 1987. She was in attendance as The Lions beat Miami for the National Championship.

Maribeth arrived in Athens GA on July 4th, 1987 with her family and delayed furniture. Camping out on the floor, she nevertheless was soon serving as a substitute teacher for the Athens/Clarke County School District. She also joined the strong Cedar Creek swim team as a volunteer coach, working with Max Mayo, and as a volunteer parent leader. She later worked with her son Brian to coach the swim team. Maribeth was an active member of the Green Hills C.C.  where she was an avid golfer and volunteer.  She later returned as a full-time teacher's aide at Gaine's and, as a part-time teacher's aide at several District schools.  Maribeth loved working with children. She was kind and respectful of them and taught with no ambiguity. She was clear, concise and easy to follow. She loved children and remembered their names, even years later at a store or a Bull Dawg tailgate. She unwaveringly loved Athens GA and the Bull Dawgs since 1987. Maribeth was a gourmet cook and avid crossword puzzler. She finished the Peachtree 10K twice.

Maribeth is survived by her husband, Thomas Walter Leigh, Professor Emeritus, UGA  (DBA, IU Bloomington);  her son, Thomas Brian Leigh ( Mary Catherine) of Macon GA; and grand-daughters,  Zoe and Sophie. Her sister, Rebecca Kemming (Steve) lives in Waverly Iowa and her niece, Samantha (Nate) Flaherty in Minneapolis MN. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the UGA Ecology Project Monarch Health (https//gail.uga.edu/projectmonarchhealth) or the Backpack Ministry, Vineville United Methodist Church, 2045 Vineville Avenue, Macon GA 31204 is suggested.

The family will receive friends from 1:00PM until 2:00PM on Sunday, October 29, 2023 at Lord and Stephens East Chapel. A private interment will be held at Oconee Hill Cemetery.

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, EAST, Athens, GA is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com