Leigh Baccash Obituary

Baccash, Leigh Frances (nee Barnett) Age 96 of Evanston, died on August 17, 2013 surrounded by her family. Leigh was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado on March 22, 1917. The daughter of a banker and homemaker, Leigh, along with her brother, George Carter Barnett (died December 14, 1995), spent her youth in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After graduating from Radcliffe College, Leigh served as an overseas secretary in Paris, France, for the American Red Cross from February 1945 until she was discharged in June 1946, upon the conclusion of her duties at the end of World War II. While serving the American Red Cross abroad, she met a young Chicagoan serving in the Army, Gibran M. "Gib" Baccash (died February 20, 2006). Leigh and Gib were married on January 17, 1947 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After their marriage, Leigh and Gib moved to Chicago, IL. In 1948, Leigh welcomed her only child, Michael F. Baccash. The family soon moved to Evanston, IL, where Leigh resided for the remainder of her life. Leigh especially enjoyed travel, art and history. She was an avid reader and kept up with current events until her death, often sending her grandchildren various articles she found entertaining. In addition, Leigh was a longtime member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Evanston. Leigh also enjoyed spending time with her son, Michael F. Baccash and his wife, Julia Smucker Baccash (died March 30, 2013), her grandchildren, Laura, Jon (Sophie) and Mary (Kerri) and her great-grandchildren, Michael Brody, Katherine and Genevieve. Private memorial services will be held at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 1509 Ridge Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201 on Saturday, September 21st. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mark's Episcopal Church, c/o the church. Info: 847-675-1990 or www.donnellanfuneral.com