Leatha McKeown

1965 - 2015

Leatha (Lee) Marie Davenport McKeown
January 5, 1965 - December 20, 2015
Leatha (Lee) McKeown, 50, of Boise, Idaho, passed away in her sleep in her home on December 20, 2015. What mattered most to Lee were her loving daughters Claire, age 20, and Tilly, age 16, who were both home at the time of her passing.
Lee was born on January 5, 1965 in Cedar Falls, Iowa to her devoted parents Lyle and Marlys Davenport. From the very beginning, Lee embodied pure joy and light – from her school days as a cheerleader to the many hours boating on Lake Okoboji and later on Payette Lake. She graduated from Cedar Falls High School, Iowa and California State University, Long Beach. After college graduation, Lee was employed by AAA as a work measurement analyst for twenty-five offices in southern California. In 1994, Lee moved to Boise, and most recently worked as a loan originator with Guild Mortgage. In the last year, Lee received the Warrior Award from Guild Mortgage for her courageous spirit battling cancer.
Lee had an open-heart and a life-affirming, unforgettable laugh. Her daughters Claire and Tilly were the true joy of her life. Parenting with presence, Lee was able to see each of her daughters fully, each with their unique talents and gifts, and was so proud of both of them. She deeply connected with Claire and Tilly from her heart and loved them unconditionally.
Lee was always surrounded by family and many wonderful friends. She loved watching movies with her daughters, BSU tailgating and football games (she knew more about football than most!), the Sundance Film Festival, concerts at the Botanical Gardens, and meeting up with friends for lunch or dinner. When Lee was skiing, you could hear her laugh three of four chairs away. Lee was radiant and vibrant and we are all blessed to have been part of her joyful existence.
Lee was a spark and a connector to people and community. When her daughters were young, she developed and taught a Church School program for youth for St. Michael's Episcopal Cathedral and was an active volunteer at her daughters' schools. Lee demonstrated spirituality and believed in giving toward the greater good. In honor of her daughter Tilly, Lee and her mother volunteered and built houses in Cambodia. Lee was a founder of the Idaho Women's Charitable Foundation and an active member of a LEADS group.
Lee was married July 11, 1987 to Patrick McKeown for twenty-seven years. As a family they demonstrated enthusiasm for the celebration of life – from holiday gatherings at their home to annual adventures on the Big Island of Hawaii to weekends at the cabin in McCall. Together, Lee and Pat raised two extraordinary daughters.
Lee is survived by her daughters Claire Davenport McKeown and Matilda (Tilly) Vorleak McKeown, her mother Marlys Davenport, her former husband Patrick McKeown, and many extended family members. Lee was preceded in death by her father Lyle Davenport and her brother Marty Davenport.
Special gratitude to St. Luke's MSTI and the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance for their exceptional care over the last three and half years and to the many wonderful friends who were by Lee's side during her spunky battle with cancer.
A celebration of Lee's life will be held later in January. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Lee's life be honored through the establishment of a college fund for Claire and Tilly. Accounts will be set up at ICCU. More information about the celebration and the memorial fund will be available through Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel at www.aldenwaggoner.com.