WOOSTER – Joanne Elizabeth Matz LEEPER, 77, of Wooster, died at her home in Wooster on Wednesday, March 12, 2008, following extended ill-health. She was born on November 25, 1930, the only child of Ray and Flossie Matz of Wooster.
She married Earl Leeper on December 15, 1950. She attended the Wooster Music Conservatory as a piano performance major and taught privately in Wooster for over 55 years, retiring at the age of 70. She studied at the Chatauqua Conservatory in New York, and with Clarice Parmalee, Dr. Richard Gore, Esther Wohld, and Nick Constantinidis. She was an active member of the Wooster MacDowell Music Club for over 50 years.
She served as church pianist and did recitals for a number of area churches and nursing homes. She enjoyed hobbies of painting and drawing. She was a current member of St. Mary Catholic Church.
Joanne enjoyed her retirement with her grandchildren, friends from the church, and her many dogs. She relished hearing from former piano students who continued their musical careers.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wooster MacDowell Music Club for their Piano Scholarship Fund, c/o Mrs. Marilyn Schantz, 2268 Wayne, Orrville, OH 44667 or to Hospice & Palliative Care of Greater Wayne Co., 2525 Back Orrville Rd., Wooster, OH 44691.
She is survived by her children: Theron E. Leeper, II of Wooster, Joseph (Myra) Leeper of Smithville, Andrew (Paulette) Leeper of Loveland, OH and Melinda (Mark) Cyrus of Wooster, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 15, 2008 at 10:00 A.M. at the McIntire, Davis and Greene Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster with the Rev. Fr. Daniel Reed officiating.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl in 1996.

Memorial Contributions
Wooster MacDowell Music Club for their Piano Scholarship Fund, c/o Mrs. Marilyn Schantz, 2268 Wayne, Orrville, OH 44667 or Hospice and Palliative Care of Greater Wayne Co., 2525 Back Orrville Rd., Wooster, OH 44691

Service
Memorial Service Saturday, March 15, 2008 at 10:00 A.M.

Visitation
No Calling Hours