MANSFIELD: The earth laughs in flowers – and Mary Kay Leedy was its comedy writer! Blessed with more than a green thumb, Mary Kay had the Midas-touch with plants and flowers. In a world where flowers always make people better, happier and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine to the soul. Like the flowers she grew, Mary Kay blossomed – regardless of the weeds that so often surrounded her.
Mary Kay now blooms in a heavenly garden as she passed away Tuesday October 26, 2026 surrounded by her loving family.
Born Mary Kathryne Gore September 15, 1939 in Mansfield to parents John Richard and Kathryne (Hill) Gore, she was graduated from Lexington High School in 1957.
Though she worked in the Lexington Village Tax Office, and drove school bus for Lexington, it was her job working as a secretary at Kingwood Center that turned her toward horticulture. She will be best remembered as “The Garden Lady” for owning and operating Alta Greenhouse from 1974 to 1989.
Mary Kay loved flowers and she loved Lexington! She was a member of the Mansfield Garden Club for decades and dearly loved gardening. She had been a member of Lexington Mother’s Club, and felt so strongly about her alma mater, that she was the founding chairman of the Lexington Scholarship Fund, serving as its chair for 15 years. A mean Bridge player, Mary Kay also enjoyed crocheting and knitting. Mary Kay’s gifting was also in her ability to envision beauty and balance, especially in design. Her home was always a direct reflection of her love of home decor.
A member of Lexington Presbyterian Church, Mary Kay was a charter owner in The Crossings at Forest Glen, and also enjoyed a cottage at Marblehead.
She is survived by her children Stephanie & Jeffery Palmer of Ontario, Courtney Hartzler of Shelby, Jeff & Cindy Leedy of Mandeville, LA, John & Colby Leedy of Mansfield, Julie & Brett Snyder of Bellville; grandchildren Meghan Leedy of Delaware, Daniel Leedy of Hammond, La., Kristin Leedy of Waco, Texas, Thunder Burkhart of Mansfield, Ben & Lauren Snyder of Toledo, Brian & Abby Snyder of Mansfield, Jenny & Nathan Irwin of Mansfield, Caleb & Rachel Henry of Oxford, Ohio, Mallory Henry of Grangeville, Idaho, Nathan Henry of Mansfield, Paige & William McPartlon of Reno, Nevada, Brittany & Josh Hylton of Ontario, Ashley Viers and Jacob Viers both of Shelby; great grandchildren Lydia, Samuel, Noah, Mary, and Lincoln and Will Snyder, Evie Irwin, Adam and Ian Hylton, Josie and Cora Henry, Ezekiel, Oscar, Solomon, and Gus Henry, Ellie and Liam McPartlon; as well as special friend Stan Daughterty.
Along with her parents she was preceded in death by her husband James B. “Jim” Leedy, Sr., daughter Amanda Hartzler, son James “Jim” Leedy, Jr., daughter-in-law Stephanie Hartzler, grandson Shane Henry and granddaughter Katelyn Voltz; brother Max Gore, and sister Phyllis Garwig.
The Leedy Family will receive friends Monday, November 2, 2026 from 2-4 p.m. in the Lexington Avenue Snyder Funeral Home, where her funeral service will be held at 4 p.m. Her grandsons Pastors Ben Snyder and Caleb Henry will speak. Private family burial will be at a later date in Lexington Cemetery.
Memorial contributions to the Lexington Scholarship Fund may be made at the funeral home.
Condolences may be made to the Leedy Family online by visiting: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com
Funeral Home: Snyder Funeral Homes Lexington Avenue Chapel
Website: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com