Lenora (Norris) Rendleman Leffler, died in Carbondale on November 4, 2010.
Lenora was born in Jonesboro, IL on November 22, 1933 to Mable (Lutz) Norris and Cecil Farrin Norris.
She was the oldest of three daughters. Lenora married John S. Rendleman on December 15, 1956; he preceded her in death on March 4, 1976.
She later married Thomas Lee Leffler; he preceded her in death on January 23, 2004.
Lenora is survived by her four children: Jean Farrin Rendleman Kelley, John S. (Andrea) Rendleman, Mary Elizabeth (John) Lindner, and David Scott (Kirstin) Rendleman and a step-son, Charles Matthew Rendleman, her 13 grandchildren; Elizabeth, Mary, Claire and Michael Kelley; Margaret, Eleanore, Alison and Jane Rendleman; Grace, Emily and Audrey Lindner; and Jack and Molly Rendleman. She is also survived by her two sisters, Mary Carolyn (Glen) Hudgens of Carmel, CA and Cecelia Norris of Carbondale, and a number of Lutz and Norris cousins, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Lenora was known for her grace, elegance and good taste. She loved music and history.
She was a civil rights advocate and valued education. She took University classes into her later years.
She was most passionate about her family.
A graduate of Jonesboro High School, Lenora received her Bachelor's Degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
It was here that she was introduced to snow skiing, which she loved.
Her love for Southern Illinois was strong and pulled her back to the area to teach and attend graduate school.
Lenora was also an avid equestrian; she rode horses as a young girl and would later lend a helping hand with her daughter's horse.
She enjoyed studying history, which she expressed through her antique collection and her knowledge of things pertaining to the civil war, southern Illinois and her family's past.
Lenora was a wonderful cook and hostess.
While married to John Rendleman, she and John were known around Carbondale and later Edwardsville for hosting fabulous parties.
John and Lenora lived in Carbondale from 1957 until 1968 when John became the first chancellor of Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.
In Edwardsville, Lenora became the "first lady" of SIUE. She served that role with grace and pride.
One of her proudest accomplishments during their stay in Edwardsville was helping to establish the Mississippi River Festival, and in so doing, brought to Edwardsville and the Metro East area performances of many talented bands and orchestras including performances by the St. Louis Symphony.
When John died in 1976, Lenora made the decision to stay in Edwardsville as all of her children were still in the area.
She married Thomas Lee Leffler in 1978. When David Scott began law school, Lenora and Tom returned to Southern Illinois.
Asked by a reporter during her time as the first lady of SIUE why she came back to southern Illinois, Lenora stated that "it just gets in your blood."
Lenora and Tom spent many happy years together, traveling and enjoying their extended family.
After Tom passed away in 2004, Lenora would take extended trips to California to spend time with her daughter, Mary Elizabeth and her family, as well as her sister Mary Carolyn and her family.
Lenora became an adept quilter and spent hours creating beautiful works for her family.
To this day, all of her children possess various baby blankets, quilts, holiday banners, Christmas tree skirts and other handcrafted items.
She enjoyed baking and decorating Christmas cookies for her children and grandchildren. Lenora was an ardent reader and also loved doing the New York Times crossword puzzles, including the difficult Saturday puzzle.
Lenora was a very stylish woman and a very accomplished shopper, a trait that she has passed on to some of her children and grandchildren.
Lenora will be dearly missed by her children, grandchildren, sisters, extended family and friends.
Visitation will be held from 2:00PM - 3:00PM, Sunday, November 7, 2010 at Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home, Old Rt 13W between Carbondale and Murphysboro.
Memorial services will be held at 3:00PM, Sunday,November 7, 2010 at Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home.
Private burial will be held at a later date at Pleasant Grove Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to Washington University School of Neurology, Epilepsy Unit and will be accepted at the funeral home.
Published: Monday, November 8, 2010 11:06 AM CST