Judith Jasper Leicht

1940 - 2017

Leicht, Judith Jasper November 25, 1940 - December 24, 2017 Leicht, Judith Jasper (nee Morgan) died on the morning of Sunday, December 24, 2017 after a lengthy battle with multiple cancers. Beloved wife of Fred Leicht, Jr., loving mother of Kathleen Jasper Cameron (Steve) of St. Louis, David L. Jasper of New York City, Elizabeth Jasper Stewart (Michael) of Houston, TX, loving step-mother of Eric F. Leicht (Kathleen Kermian) and Holly M. Leicht (Adam Weinstein) of New York City, adoring Mimi to grandchildren and step-grandchildren: Clare and Fiona Jasper, Avery and John Stewart, Zachary Cameron, Luke, Alex, and Ben Leicht, sister of Robert H. Morgan, Jr. of Philadelphia, PA and stepsister of Marsha Fagan of Queensbury, NY. Also surviving are many friends and colleagues whose concern and support were a great comfort to her. The college yearbook staff described Judy by quoting William Rose Benet, I fling my soul on high with new endeavor. And I ride the world below with a joyful mind. Born in Glens Falls, NY on November 25, 1940, she was the daughter of the late Robert H. Morgan and Clare Leonard Morgan. Judy graduated from Jamesville DeWitt High School in Syracuse, NY and from Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart in Purchase, NY. Her first marriage in l962 was to Lawrence Jasper of Westfield, NJ. They moved to St. Louis, MO in 1963. The marriage ended in divorce in l994, and she married Fred Leicht, Jr. in l999. Family was her primary focus. Judy never missed an opportunity to support the education, sports teams and other activities of her children and grandchildren. As one grandchild explained, Mimi supports us in everything we do, and she lets us eat dessert first. In 1969, Judy became a community volunteer, editing Topics, the Junior League monthly magazine, working on publicity for the restoration of Soulard, and answering crisis intervention calls for Suicide Prevention. When her youngest child entered school, she accepted a position as Corporate Communications Manager at American Investment Company. When the company moved to Chicago in 1978, she joined Webster University as Director of Alumni and Special Events, later promoted to Director of Community Relations. In 1987, she became of Director of Public Relations and Marketing in support of the capital campaign for the St. Louis Science Center. She joined the Washington University Public Affairs team in 1989, and retired in 2007 as Associate Vice Chancellor for University Communications. She played an active role in medial relations for several Presidential Debates and was media director for Steve Fossett's round-the-world balloon flights. Judy was active in her professional association, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). She held numerous volunteer leadership positions at the local, regional, and national level and served eight years on the CASE Board of Trustees, the last two as Chair of the Board. In 2003, she received the James L. Ashmore Award for distinguished service to CASE and the advancement of the profession. She was a 20+year member of the Public Relations Advisory Committee to the Parkway School District Board of Education. Judy was a member of the Junior League of Vero Beach, the Treasure Coast chapter of the Alumni of the Sacred Heart, the Wednesday Club of St. Louis, the Women's Society of Washington University and the Chapman Museum. In 2006, Judy and Fred bought a home in Sea Oaks, Vero Beach, Florida, and she became an active member of that community. She took great pleasure in making needlepoint belts, pillows, and Christmas stockings as gifts for family and friends. Judy loved life and wanted her memory to be a happy one. Services: Please join us for a Visitation at BOPP Chapel on Wednesday, December 27th from 2-4 p.m. (10610 Manchester Road, Kirkwood, MO 63122). A funeral Mass will be held Thursday, December 28th, at 10 a.m., at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church (808 North Mason Road, Creve Coeur, MO 63141). Immediately following this service, friends and colleagues are cordially invited to join Judy's family at the Missouri Athletic Club West (1777 Des Peres Road, Town & Country, MO 63131) for a reception celebrating her life. Those wishing to make a donation in Judy's memory are encouraged to contribute to the Backpack Program at Operation Food Search (1644 Lotsie Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63132) or to a charity of their choice.