Leila Frances Riddle Marquis
Leila Frances Riddle Marquis, long-time teacher, world traveler, and appreciator of the arts, departed this life peacefully at age 99 on June 4, 2020, surrounded by loved ones.
Due to the pandemic, her family postponed a celebration of her long life until this year.
Beloved mother of Catherine Marquis-Homeyer (the late Bruce James “Seric” Homeyer), Harry Marquis (Linda), and Paula Ayers (Andy), grandmother of Sarah Ayers Shepardson Richter (Bill), KT Ayers, Emily Ayers, Keaton Homeyer, Paul Marquis, Natalie Marquis, Marilyn Marquis and Juliette Marquis, great-grandmother of Shawna Shepardson (Will Shields) and Ian Shepardson (Sam Strand). Beloved aunt of Vicky Mendoza, Donna Mendoza Mitchell (Greg), Francesca Mendoza Martinet (Bill), Jahn Ann Mendoza Pepple (Jeff), John Mendoza Jr. (Pim), great-aunt and cousin of many. She was proceeded in death by her beloved sister Ruby Riddle Mendoza and former husband Paul Marquis.
Leila was born in St. Louis and grew up near Shaw’s Garden (now the Missouri Botanical Garden), which she loved to visit all her life. She went to college on scholarship to become a teacher, eventually earning a Masters degree in Education from Webster University. She married the late Paul Marquis in 1945, a St. Louis artist who was twice president of the St. Louis Artists Guild. They had five children but, sadly, their first, Ann Marie, died shortly after birth and they lost their youngest, Lee Michael, to cancer when he was 7 years old. She and Paul later divorced but maintained a cordial relationship.
Leila taught first and second grade. First in St. Louis City schools and later at Willowbrook Elementary in the Pattonville School District. Many of her former students still remember her fondly. She took early retirement so she could travel but stayed in touch with her teacher friends.
As a world traveler, Leila was one of the first American tourists to visit China when it was opened to Americans in the 1970s, and she also traveled to Thailand, Japan, Egypt, Spain, Italy, Great Britain, Greece, France, and many other destinations. One of her favorite places was Florence, Italy, and she also loved Egypt and Greece especially.
Leila was very much a "joiner," and active in many groups and organizations. She was an active member of the St. Louis Artists Guild and their Players theater group. She volunteered as a docent at the St. Louis Art Museum, and was an active member of the American Association of University Women, Great Decisions, Missouri Retired Teachers Association, Willowbrook Teachers, and many other organizations. Becoming a teacher was her childhood ambition, which she achieved. She was a member of the teachers' sorority Sigma Sigma Sigma. Leila was a member of the Sierra Club, the St. Louis Art Museum, and Missouri Botanical Garden, and a many-years season ticket holder for Dance St. Louis, the Repertory Theater of St. Louis, and St. Louis Opera Theater. She loved ballet in particular. She loved animals and always had pets, often a Siamese cat; and supported charities for animals, wildlife, and nature.
Leila had a great many friends, and kept in touch with friends going back to grade school. One of her longest friendships was with the late Virginia Keck, whom she had met in first grade, and one of her best friends was the late Joan Raburn, whom she met through the Artists Guild.
Leila was a very sociable, outgoing person who always wanted to be around people, but she was a tough cookie and could be assertive too. She was a person of enormous self-confidence but also someone her friends and family knew they could count on to be there for them. Although her life had its hardships, particularly the loss of her youngest son Lee, she was a strong person who mostly had a positive view of life. She was always curious about other cultures and other nations, and was a lifelong learner. Leila was the rare person who got to do nearly everything she set out to do in life.
SERVICES: A memorial service will be held for Leila Marquis on Sunday, July 11th 2021, 11am at Ambruster Chapel in the Great Hall, followed by a reception. A graveside service and burial will follow at 3pm at St. Leo Cemetery, 5880 St. Leo Rd., Modoc, IL 62277, where she will be interred next to her beloved mother, Sarah Marlen Riddle. Due to the distance between memorial site and the cemetery, people may want to chose to attend just the memorial at Ambruster or the service at St. Leo cemetery. A second reception will follow the graveside service at Lisa's Grille, 211 Market St., Prairie du Rocher, IL 62277.
The Family would like to invite you to share photos and memories of Leila here on her Memorial page. Please submit your photos to AmbrusterChapel@yahoo.com.
To view shared photos, please click on the following link: Photo Album
