81R30548 MDM-D
By: Gonzales H.R. No. 2082
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Family and friends will long cherish their memories
of Penny Payte McLeaish of McAllen, who passed away on April 23,
2009; and
WHEREAS, The daughter of Peter and Virginia Payte and sister
of Virginia Payte Steib, the former Penny Payte moved to the Rio
Grande Valley in 1946 with her family and graduated from Pharr-San
Juan-Alamo High School in 1953; and
WHEREAS, After two years at The University of Texas at
Austin, she began her teaching career at Sharyland High School
while attending Pan American College, from which she graduated with
honors in 1958; over the course of more than four decades as an
educator, Mrs. McLeaish taught senior English and American history
and government, and she coached state championship teams in debate
and informative and persuasive speaking as well as district and
regional championship teams in current issues; and
WHEREAS, Named a Shining Star by the Hidalgo County Zonta
Club, Teacher of the Year for the Sharyland Independent School
District, and a Distinguished UT Pan American Alumnus, she also
received 1 of 10 statewide Denius-UIL Sponsor Excellence Awards;
moreover, in 1999, she was honored with the naming of the Penny
Payte McLeaish Learning Resource Center; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. McLeaish and her husband, Robert, shared a
fulfilling marriage that spanned more than half a century, and
together they welcomed into their family five children, Laurel,
Heather, Janet, Robert, and Jeremy; and
WHEREAS, Not only an esteemed educator but a citizen fully
engaged in her community, Mrs. McLeaish made time for involvement
with the League of Women Voters of Hidalgo County and the Reviewer's
Guild of McAllen, both of which she served as president, and with
the Democratic party; she was also a valued member of Our Lady of
Sorrows Catholic Church; and
WHEREAS, Penny McLeaish led a life of service and generosity
that touched many other individuals, and she will long be
remembered with admiration and affection by all who were fortunate
enough to know her; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby honor the memory of Penny Payte McLeaish and
extend sincere condolences to the members of her family: to her
husband, Robert McLeaish; to her children and their spouses, Laurel
McLeaish, Heather Butler and her husband, Bill, and Janet Robinson
and her husband, Dave Swain; to her grandchildren, Jesse and
Brittany Robinson; to her brothers-in-law, Mickey Steib and Jim
McLeaish; to her nephew, David Steib; and to her many other
relatives and friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Penny
McLeaish.