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Yvonne A. Leggett

Paul E. Bekavac Funeral Home

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | March 01, 2021

Yvonne A. (Beadling) Leggett, age 73, of Elizabeth Twp., passed away on Sunday, February 28, 2021 at West Penn Hospital. She worked in the steel industry for the entirety of her working life, first at US Steel’s Irvin Works, and later for the United Steelworkers of America, from which she retired in 2008.

Although she was a hardworking and dedicated employee, she really thrived in retirement. When family members would occasionally complain about difficulties of their jobs, she was quick to remind them that she had already put in her years! Although never a woman of great wealth, she was exceedingly generous with all that she had, including her time.

After retiring, she spent substantial time volunteering for the New Life Options organization, counseling — and befriending — young, scared, and mostly single new mothers. It brought her true joy to stand in as the mother that most of them never had and that all of them desperately needed.

Throughout her life, she was lightning quick to befriend just about everyone she came into contact with. Her kindness and overt friendliness were legendary. She made it a point to learn as much as possible from everyone regardless of who they were or how direct her connection was with them.

Rare was the occasion when she would meet a stranger on the bus without learning who they were, where they lived, and who their family members were prior to reaching her stop. Yvonne truly believed in the power of kindness and she lived that belief every day of her life. She had a deep understanding of the struggles of life that each of us face and that understanding guided her behavior. She didn’t need to consciously decide to be that way; it was natural. She truly personified empathy and kindness.

She was a member of St. Joachim & Anne Parish, St. Michael Church in Elizabeth Twp. She enjoyed collecting Polish Pottery, and socializing with dear friends in her Monday morning Bible study group and her quilting group. Born on August 29, 1947 in Jeannette, she was the only daughter of the late James J. Beadling Sr. and the late Betty (Linn) Beadling. She loved her family intensely and was incredibly proud of them.

She is survived by the love of her life, her husband of 51 years, William C. Leggett; her children whom she adored, Karen (Jeremy) Dugosh of Philadelphia and Todd (Kira) Leggett of Fredericksburg, VA; beloved grandchildren, Ezra Dugosh and Alexander Lopez; brother, John (Rhonda) Beadling of Fairhope; also, many nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers, Donald R. Beadling, James J. Beadling Jr., and William Beadling.

Friends will be received in the Paul E. Bekavac Funeral Home, 221 North Second Avenue, Elizabeth on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 from 4-8 PM. In order to comply with Covid-19 restrictions, guests are required to wear masks and follow CDC social distancing guidelines. You may be asked to limit your visiting time so that all guests will have an opportunity to pay their respects. The family would like to express their understanding to those who are unable to attend due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 10 AM in St. Joachim & Anne Parish, St. Michael Church with the Rev. Thomas A. Wagner officiating. Burial will follow in Round Hill Cemetery, Elizabeth Twp. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the American Association for Cancer Research, donate.aacr.org. Offer condolences at www.bekavacfuneralhome.com

Originally published March 01, 2021.

Other deaths:
"Vincent T. Grace" || "Barbara Penman"