Leona May Beatman Coghill, our lioness of gentle strength and boundless love, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2024, surrounded in love by family.
Born at home on February 1st with twinkling blue eyes, in her treasured city of Chicago, IL, Leona’s journey through life was one marked by joy, wisdom, and an unwavering commitment to her loved ones. She flourished in the family’s multi-generational Greystone filled with the support and delight of Parents, Siblings, Grandparents, Great-Grandmother & a Great Aunt.
Once married to the love of her life, Leona raised her family in Oak Park for 45 years and later resided in La Grange before moving to Oak Brook.
A woman of grace and intelligence, Leona attended business classes at Northwestern University, where she honed the skills that would later define her professional life. As a Liaison in the candy industry, she brought sweetness not just to the palate but to every life she touched, as she excelled in the details of arranging national meetings and local fetes.
Yet, it was her role as a fully engaged stay-at-home mother where Leona truly shined, infusing moments with love and attention that shaped a family legacy of warmth, tradition and knowledge.
The beloved wife of the late Cecil Duane Coghill (d. 2018), with whom she shared a lifetime of memories and tender moments. Their commitment and love were incomparable and hard to miss, as they always held hands and were rarely apart. Together, they built a family foundation that stood the test of time. Leona was an incredible mother to William Lawrence (Anne) Coghill and Alisa Ann (Dan) Bogojevich, instilling in them values of kindness and perseverance. As an adoring Nona, she delighted in the laughter and dreams of her grandchildren, Stephanie Coghill (fiancé Mark Wolf), of whom she adored and had boundless pride, and Nik Bogojevich who she knew warmly and shared a mutual interest in a healthy lifestyle and nutrition.
Leona also leaves behind a tapestry of memories with her late siblings, Dorothy Edith Beatman and Betty Jane Beatman Fitzgibbons, and she was the darling daughter of the late Dorothy Ann and William Leo Beatman. In addition, a close bond with cousins Jim, Lulu, John and Clarence Beatman remains, with gratitude for their efforts to stay in touch through the years, along with many cousins throughout the country from Cecil’s side of the family. Each family tie was cherished, each moment together a treasure that Leona held close to her heart.
Beyond her family and friends, Leona’s passions painted the canvas of her life with vibrant colors. Her Victorian Garden brought great satisfaction and endless arrangements to brighten her home. Her love for antiques and keen eye spoke of her appreciation for history, craftsmanship and the stories etched in time. Her precious Pug dogs, with their playful spirits and loving eyes, brought glee and companionship to Leona, and many country drives taken with Cecil Duane were a testament to her love for nature’s beauty and the open road’s promise of adventure.
Home was where her heart favored, but she happily traveled and created memories together with her family that will always be cherished. Finally, her fondness for State Street and Michigan Avenue, highlighted by her exquisite taste of the perfect items found at her favorite Marshall Field’s, reflect her enduring connection to the city and her exuberance for the vivid opportunities for culture, food and appreciation of people from near and far.
The Coghill and Bogojevich Family would like to extend a special thank you to the Advocate Hospice Team and a heartfelt appreciation to her devoted caregivers, Lolita Christoffersen and Debra Miller, for their dedication and outstanding care.
Leona’s gentle essence helped navigate life’s challenges with a serene confidence and a smile that could light up the darkest room. Her wisdom was a guiding star, her love a sheltering canopy. She lived as a symbol of hope and solace for all who knew her, abiding by her faith and spirituality. A true lady through and through. Her spirit was a radiance that stretched across the lives she touched, inspiring those around her to find beauty in every season.
Leona’s legacy is one of love, laughter, and the quiet strength that underpins the very best of humanity. As we celebrate her life, we are reminded that the impact of a well-lived life echoes in eternity, and the love shared by a kind soul is never forgotten and will continue to inspire and guide us, as the imprints she leaves are forever in our hearts.
Visitation Monday, January 22, 2024, 9:30 a.m. until time of funeral service 11:00 a.m. at Gibbons Funeral Home, 134 South York Road, (½ mile North of Saint Charles Road), Elmhurst. Entombent Memory Gardens Cemetery, Arlington Heights – Sanctuary of Hope. For funeral information please call 630-832-0018 or www.gibbonsfuneralhome.com