Saint Leola Marie Baskin

December 13, 1950 - April 12, 2019

St. Leola M. Baskin, 68, of Peoria, IL passed away at 5:03 pm on Friday, April 12, 2019 at West Suburban Medical Center, Oak Park, IL. St. Leola was born on December 13, 1950 in Wheeling, West Virginia to Mary (Ladson) and Leon Baskin, Sr. St. Leola was a 1969 graduate of Woodruff High School and received her Bachelors’ Degree in Library Science at Illinois State University in 1974. St. Leola worked as a Social Worker at Catholic Social Services for 20 years. She later worked as a Teacher’s Assistant in District 150. St. Leola was a seamstress. She also was an artist who created beautiful jewelry. She was an avid reader. One of St. Leola’s achievements was to pass out of the church’s “Seven Keys” which gave her a Doctorate of Divinity. She achieved this honor three times. St. Leola leaves to cherish her precious memories; two children, Aaron Byrd of Oak Park, IL and Susan “Suzy” Byrd of Peoria; Siblings, Martha Jenkins, Mary Tennon and Leon Baskin, Jr., all of Peoria, Michael (LaVerne) Baskin of Pittsburg, PA, Matthew Baskin and John Baskin both of Peoria, Andrew (Deborah) Baskin of Aurora, IL, Samuel Baskin, Ruth Ingram, Constance Jimoh and Leah (Daniel) Lattimore all of Peoria, and Lisa (Rhodie) Joppy of Atlanta, GA; 2 grandchildren, Zaire Byrd and Zion Adams; and a host of nieces, nephews, other family and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents. St. Leola , we Love you and you will be missed! Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Friday, April 26, 2019 at the Church of God and Saints of Christ, 4225 N. Boulevard Avenue, Peoria, IL 61614, with a visitation one hour prior beginning at 10 am. Elder Samuel Baskin will officiate. Simons Mortuary has been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at simonsmortuary.com.