Leila W. McIntyre

Leila was born on Sept. 14, 1931, daughter of the late Bertha (Ward) Birch in Alpena. Bertha and Ed Birch raised Leila in Rock, where she graduated from high school in 1950.

After graduation, Leila married Charles McIntyre. He preceded her in death in 1988.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Leila was preceded in death by a son, Scott McIntyre, in 2015.

Leila and Charles strived to provide opportunities for themselves and their sons, Dale and Scott. They understood the impact a sound education would have on their children’s future well-being. Leila constantly reinforced the importance of education through her actions.

As a mother, she frequently volunteered as room-mother, school librarian aide and Cub Scout Den Mother to make sure her sons saw she was committed to supporting them. She sent countless dozens of cookies and cupcakes to school for her sons’ classmates to celebrate birthdays, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and of course, St. Patrick’s Day. Leila and Charles always made sure that their sons knew they were supported, appreciated, and loved. Leila naturally extended her love to her grandchildren.

Leila also deeply appreciated things that some take for granted like getting phone calls from loved ones and fresh produce from the garden, especially cherry tomatoes with just a little bit of salt. People that knew Leila well recognized that she had a quirky humorous side, sometimes catching others off guard with a funny old saying or by launching into a rendition of songs like “The Old Gray Mare” which caused some to try to figure out what a whippletree is.

She is lovingly survived by her son, Dale (Michelle) McIntyre of Irvine, Calif., and grandchildren Eric (Catherine) McIntyre of Chelan, Wash., Megan (Kyle) Demmink of Columbus, Ohio, and Erin McIntyre of Irvine; as well as her daughter-in-law, Carmen (Scott dec.) McIntyre, and grandchildren Collin (Kayla) McIntyre and Casey McIntyre, all of Cedar Falls, Iowa. Leila’s beloved sister, Evelyn Clouse resides in Rapid River.

Visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. Services will follow at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Burial will be at Rock Cemetery.

Memorial donations in honor of Leila can be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.

Condolences to the family of Leila W. McIntyre may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.