Leona C. Scott

Leona (Lee) C. Scott of Zion, IL passed away on February 19, 2026. She was born in Montello, WI on Christmas Day of 1930, the daughter of Herman and Clara Gaatz. She was the Valedictorian and Secretary-Treasurer of the 1949 graduating class from Montello High School, after which she took a job as a telephone operator at The Portage Telephone Company.

In 1952 she married John M. Murphy and had two sons: John E. Murphy and Jeffrey (Lorinda) Murphy. They were married until 1962.

In 1964 she was married to her husband of over 53 years, Thomas F. Scott, until his passing in 2017, and had one daughter: Tina (Tom) Eckhart.

She is survived by her children, John Murphy, Jeff (Lorinda) Murphy, Tina (Tom) Eckhart, her step-son Ron (Cindy) Scott, and multiple grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Lee was a very smart woman that took no nonsense and was meticulous in everything she did, from her immaculate housekeeping to her dedication to gardening and yard work. She had a terrific sense of humor, and her laugh was a cherished trophy that was often triggered by the antics and musings of her eldest son, John.

She was a very generous person whose gift-giving prowess was legendary. She would often surprise her loved ones with something they may have briefly mentioned in a passing conversation months earlier. She was a very keen observer and had a better memory than any computer, which she eschewed.

She was a devout member of Our Savior’s Lutheran church in Zion, where her husband Tom served on the Board of Elders.

Lee single-handedly bolstered the financial standings of QVC and The Home Shopping Network by constantly monitoring them for the latest kitchen gadget or home décor items. However, her purchase deliveries were often hampered by her nemesis; the neighborhood squirrel that would “pre inspect” her packages, or “taste-test” her purchases of food or chocolate truffles. In the end, despite the persistent efforts of her worthy and furry opponent, due to Lee’s eagle-eye, quick reflexes and sentry-like monitoring, she amassed more victories than defeats, in this epic, years-long battle of wits. "Tis best to weigh the enemy more mighty than he seems."

She loved nature and was particularly fond of cardinals and monarch butterflies. Seeing the monarch butterfly murals throughout Zion always brought a smile to her face.

Lee didn’t really enjoy cooking, but she was a great connoisseur of snack foods and never shied away from sampling the newest culinary concoction. She was always well-stocked with chocolate candies, Diet Coke and potato chips. In the event her stockpile overwhelmed the capacity of her kitchen drawers and cupboards, her unused oven served as a handy repository of crackers, pretzels and candy. Its internal light served as a much-appreciated beacon to expose the vast array of treasures within.

Lee’s final words were, “On the white stool in the kitchen, there’s a box of chocolate mints. Don’t let them go to waste… I wasn’t really that crazy about them.”

A visitation will be held Friday February 27, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. at Our Saviors Lutheran Church 1800 23rd Street Zion, Illinois 60099. 

Internment will take place at 1:00 p.m. at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park 1436 Kenosha Rd, Zion, Illinois 60099.