Leah Hipple McKay

Leah Margaret Hipple McKay died unexpectedly on Thursday, April 20, 2006, at her home in Baton Rouge. She was 44 years young, a native of Shreveport and a resident of Baton Rouge. Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., on Monday, April 24, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visitation will continue Tuesday, April 25, from 9 a.m. until religious service at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel, conducted by the Rev. Ken Ritter of Trinity Episcopal Church. Interment in Resthaven Gardens of Memory. She is survived by her devoted husband, Michael W. McKay; two sons, James Watson McKay and Harris Anthony McKay; two stepsons, Wendell Rawls McKay of Ann Arbor, Mich., and John Slater McKay and his wife, Kenissa, of Alexandria, Va.; father and mother, James B. and Jeanette Pellerin Hipple; sister and brother-in-law, Carolyn H. and Kyle D. Tanner of Shreveport; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Matthew G. and Sherri C. McKay, Randall A. and Teri M. Gomez, and Patrick J. McKay, all of Baton Rouge, Andrew H. and Erin M. Meyers of Lafayette and Kathryn Leigh McKay of Evanston, Ill.; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, James B. Sr. and Leola B. Hipple; and her maternal grandparents, Harris J. and Rowena T. Pellerin. Leah was a graduate of LSU and the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center. She practiced law for 12 years then retired to raise her family. She was a member of the Baton Rouge Bar Association and the Louisiana State Bar Association. Her passion and love for her family was evident in everything she did. Leah was deeply committed to bettering our community. She touched the hearts and lives of so many with her cheerful smile. She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church. As an active member of the Junior League of Baton Rouge, Leah worked with community projects, League fundraisers and membership. She served on the board of directors as membership vice-president, by-law/parliamentarian, legal advisor and board secretary. As a sustaining member, Leah served as an advisor and actively performed with the River Road Ramblers. She regularly volunteered at Trinity Episcopal Day School, Brighton Academy and the Baton Rouge Speech and Hearing Foundation. She had most recently been past president of the Speech and Hearing Foundation's board of directors. Leah also generously gave of her time and talents to the Baton Rouge Area Foundation where she worked with the Katrina relief efforts and served on the membership committee. She also worked with Inner Wheel's Trash & Treasure Sale, which benefited numerous non-profits in the city. While in college, Leah served as vice-president of Chi Omega sorority. A loyal and supportive alumna, Leah had been currently serving as scholarship advisor for the LSU chapter. She also served Chi Omega as an alumnae advisor, recruitment party and social chairman. Leah was also a member of the Krewe of Artemis and rode in its inaugural parade. Pallbearers will be Patrick J. McKay, Matthew G. McKay, Randall A. Gomez, Andrew H. Meyers, Kyle D. Tanner, Wendell R. McKay, J. Slater McKay and Michael A. Patterson. Leah was truly a gift to her family, her friends and her community. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Leah's name may be made to the Baton Rouge Speech and Hearing Foundation, 535 W. Roosevelt St., Baton Rouge, LA 70802, (225) 343-4232 or to the Junior League of Baton Rouge Endowment Fund, c/o the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, 402 N. Fourth Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, (225) 387-6126.