Leanne Marie Schook, beloved daughter of the late Duane Anthony Schook and Carol Jean Hilliard, and cherished mother of Keely Taylor-Zastrow and Troy Taylor, was born on September 11, 1963 in Rochester, Illinois. She passed away peacefully on January 2, 2024 after a valiant battle with heart and lung disease. Her final, tranquil moments were spent in her home in Bradenton, Florida, surrounded by her loving family and close friends. Her dog, Izzy, and cat, Bella, were by her side, faithfully.

Leanne grew up in Decatur, Illinois and graduated from Lakeview High School. She pursued a career in information technology (IT) after graduation. It was a fitting path for a woman who was an innate problem solver. A fixer. A thinker.

Though Leanne was born in Rochester, and grew up in Decatur, Illinois she spent her later years in Sarasota and Bradenton, Florida. While living in Bradenton, one of her greatest joys was watching her grandchildren play sports. At any given game you could spot Leanne cheering them on from the stands. You couldn't miss her if you tried.

That was Leanne. Always coming in clutch. Always helping out. Always there when you needed her. Ready to fulfill any role, from cheerleader to photographer to coach—and everything in between. A Leanne of all trades, indeed. She was there, with a bright smile, an amazing laugh and so much love. Her personality was like a light that would shine through anything, spreading kindness and love.

And then, there was bingo. BingoLand to be exact. If you know, you know.

Leanne was a hippie at heart. Slept with a fan on. Loved daisies, arts and crafts, diamond art, flip flops (or bare feet), sandy beaches and bright colors—especially the color blue. It was her favorite. And she collected…everything. She enjoyed her knick knacks, cards, and anything that talked about love.

Love. That was her core. She loved her family and friends fiercely. She missed her mom completely. She lived her life fully. She once posted on Facebook advice that we should all live by: Dare to be yourself. Be real, not perfect. Do everything with so much love in your heart that you should never want to do it any other way.

And if you were ever near her, you’d undoubtedly hear her say:

I love you!

You got this!

Family over everything!

I want a shot of Fireball!

And a fireball she remains. Bright and brilliant, ever burning in our hearts with a soul that is too big to extinguish.

Leanne is preceded in death by her parents Duane Anthony Schook and Carol Jean Hilliard; her brothers Todd Schook and Troy Schook; and her dogs Baby and Wylie.

She is survived by her stepfather David Hilliard; children Keely Taylor-Zastrow (Timothy Zastrow) and Troy Taylor; grandchildren Keenan Taylor, Diante Zastrow, Cheyla Zastrow, Kayson Taylor, Kameron Taylor, and Scarlett James; siblings Lori Schook, Jennifer Schook, and Timothy Schook (Pam Schook); uncles Robert Wheelwright (Diane Wheelwright) and Edward Wheelwright (Millie Wheelwright); close friends Beth Wadeson Heiting, Missy Webb, and Dawn Okon; and her dog and cat, Izzy and Bella.

Leanne will be cremated and a celebration of life will be held at her daughter Keely’s home. Please email thedroplady941@gmail.com for the time and location. The family encourages you to leave memories and pictures on the Ever Loved memorial site and requests donations in lieu of flowers.

Keely writes:

“My mom was my biggest cheerleader, she was my best friend, she was there for me at any time. She was filled with so much compassion and love! She was not only an amazing mom but just an overall amazing human to everyone who got the pleasure to meet her.”

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