Leelyn Shirley REESE-MAIN

REESE-MAIN, Leelyn Shirley

79, died Monday, April 24, 2017 at her home in St. Petersburg FL. From her Christmas birth in 1937 until her death Monday she believed that the magic and mysteries of the spiritual world could be discerned through love and friendship in this life. She was born at Magee Hospital in Pittsburg PA to Leland Stanford Reese and Ethelyn Shirley Reese. In 1950 she moved to Detroit where she subsequently married her Cooley High School sweetheart, Dr. Charles A Main Jr. Leelyn left Michigan State University to help make ends meet and began working at Powell Photographic Studios in Detroit while "Chuck" attended Medical school. Her primary focus at this time in her life was her four children, Timothy, Kevin, Charlie, and Shannon. Leelyn enjoyed camping and traveling the country with her "chicks" as she was fond of calling her children in tow. When the youngest was out of primary school, Leelyn went back to college and earned her Bachelors degree in Political Science from Oakland University. Besides her children and family she had a lifelong passion for playing and teaching bridge where she could showcase her always well manicured nails and sharp mental agility. After her children had all gone on to college she and Chuck were divorced and she moved to Florida to start another chapter in her life. She sold real estate, earned her Masters degree in Social Work which she applied to her work in Alzheimers patient daycare. Eventually she was able to combine two passions, travel and bridge, by teaching bridge on cruise ships often accompanied by her longtime boyfriend and surviving bridge partner, Bill Attebury. Her surviving sister, JoAnne; daughters-in-law, Katherine and Donna; son-in-law, Roland; friends; and 12 grandchildren, Melissa, Timothy, Brian, Haley, Cody, Chaz, Kelvin, Moselle, Leland, Carson, Cooper; and great-grandchild, K.J. will all miss her wisdom and laughter as well as her wonderful Birthday Cards which she individually picked out months and sometimes years in advance. She signed every card "Angels Watch" to remind us all that our actions and our life, was ours to choose, but to always remember we are surrounded by Angels to guide us in our journey. We will be celebrating the life of one of those Angels Saturday, April 29, at 2 pm at The Vinoy Hotel 501 Fifth Avenue North East, St. Petersburg FL 33701. In lieu of flowers make a donation to your favorite charity. Please visit www.gardensanctuaryfunerals.com for service details, video tribute and to send to share stories.