Leah Marie MacKercher

Leah Marie Mackercher, 96, peacefully passed into Eternal Life on August 9, 2025 at home in Brooksville, Florida with her devoted son and caregiver, Scott at her bedside.

Lee was born in Newaygo, Michigan on October 11, 1928 and is the daughter of the late Floyd Mathews and the late Mary (Koonsman) Mathews.  She is predeceased by her beloved husband, John (Jack) Cameron MacKercher.  She is predeceased by her brother Irwin and sister-in-law Hazel Mathews, and her brother Donald and sister-in-law Marsha Matthews.  She is predeceased by her grandson, Donald Mark MacKercher.

In the summer of 1948, our beautiful mother, Leah Marie Mathews, met the love of her life, our late father, Jack in Newaygo.  Lee and Jack both graduated from Michigan State College (now University) and were married on June 2, 1951.

Upon graduation from college, Lee was a teacher in the Houghton Lake, Michigan school system.  Her teaching career was paused after Jack joined the U.S. Navy.  Lee supported Jack as the model Navy wife, traveling from Michigan to Great Lakes Naval Base, Illinois, Little Creek Amphibious Base, Virginia, San Diego, California, back to Little Creek, Taipei, Taiwan, Michigan and Fairfax, Virginia.  She returned to teaching while in Fremont, Michigan and later in Fairfax, Virginia.  She was enjoyed traveling the globe with Jack in their retirement years.  Lee loved her family and was blessed with 5 children, 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

Lee is survived by her cherished children and their loving families:  devoted son and caregiver Scott Mathew MacKercher; Jamie Ann and husband Joseph Thomas and sons John Kirk, Sean Michael and Ian Wesley Thomas and his bride to be, Nicole Rochon; John Cameron MacKercher, Jr. and wife Susan, and children John Cameron , III and wife Jessica and newborn son Jett, and Dr. Jana Lauren, and husband Jake Elliker, and sons Charles and Samuel; Rob Roy MacKercher and wife Cynthia, daughter Kristin Marie and her husband William Blakeney, and son Wills and daughter Lucille, son Rob Roy, Jr. and his wife Beth and son Rob Roy, III, and son, the late Donald Mark MacKercher, and Duncan James MacKercher and his daughters Cameron Marie Carper and Caroline Marie Carper.  Lee is also survived by many loved nieces, nephews and friends.

The family will receive visitors at the Downing Funeral Home, 1214 Windy Court, Spring Hill, FL 34607, 352-684-5334, from 5:00 until 7:00 pm.  Mass of the Resurrection will follow at 10:00 am at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 1107 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, FL  34606.

Lee will be laid to rest with her beloved husband at the Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.  That date will be announced in the near future.

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