Celebrating the life of
Elizabeth (Tommie) LeHardy Osborne
January 29, 1927 - August 27, 2014
Savannah- Elizabeth Thomas LeHardy, (Tommie Osborne), died Tuesday, August 26, 2014. She was born, in Savannah, GA, January 29, 1927, to Frank Miller LeHardy and Julia Gordon LeHardy.
She was predeceased by her first husband, James Fenton McIntosh, and her second husband, Beverly (“Bev”) Eugene Leigh, her sister, Jeanne LeHardy, her stepson, Jack Leigh (Susan), granddaughter, Mary West, and great-grandson, Joseph.
She is survived by: her children, Julie McIntosh (Charlie Ellis), Jim McIntosh (Laura), Frank McIntosh (Patricia), Julie Leigh West (Nick), Debbie Baldridge, stepdaughters Kathryn Osborne and Martha Roux (Rembie); Grandchildren Wright Smith (Leslie), Holly Moore (Pat), Ginny Smith, Leigh Smith (Lindsey), Erin Hall, Barry West, Stephen West, Grace Leigh, Jessi Miller, Trisha Miller; great grandchildren Marsh Smith, Suzy Smith, Katie Moore, Grady Moore.
She is also survived by Russ Bennett, a dear friend and companion, and her much-loved cat, Sammy. There is also her extended family. Mom’s embrace was not ephemeral. If she cared enough to hold you in her arms, she held you forever.
The family wishes to express its gratitude to Hospice of Savannah, the staff at The Oaks and The Marshes, and to the many friends who showed so much concern and love for her, particularly her dear friends Martha Rudd and Loretto Sognier for the loving care they showed Mom during her illness.
Tommie, as she was known by everyone, inspired all who knew her, young and old. Her love of life and enjoyment of her friends (she loved both giving and going to parties,) her keen interest in others and generous and brave spirit made her well-known and loved by many. She was an excellent bridge player (she was a gracious but fierce competitor), a member of The Colonial Dames and the Oglethorpe Club.
She was also a fine business person. Her women’s boutique, The Horse’s Mouth, was a wonderful social hub and made sure Savannah women looked “smart.” And, because she had a keen sense of humor, when the store broadened its line and expanded further into the rear of their building, it was, of course, named The Other End. She and Bev were also active in helping put downtown Savannah back in shape, as they renovated and lived in or managed as rentals numerous properties while the city was transitioning from “A pretty lady with a dirty face” to the gem we are now fortunate to live in.
There will be a private burial at Bonaventure on Tuesday, September 2, The family will welcome friends and extended family who wish to celebrate Tommie's beautiful life at a reception at the Oglethorpe Club from 11:00 am to1:00pm following the funeral.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to Hospice of Savannah (P.O. Box 13190
Savannah, GA 31416, hospicesavannah.org) or Humane Society for Greater Savannah (7215 Sallie Mood Drive, Savannah, GA 31406, humanesocietysav.org) or the charity of your choice.
One of my favorite friends of many years!
- Diane, Dacula, Ga
I was very honored to know Tommie. Extremely genuine and Kind. Beautiful inside and out. She will be missed. May she rest in peace.
- Patty Demere, Savannah, GA
To Tommie's beautiful life and her extraordinary extended family ~ I wish I could have visited The Other End and The Horse's Mouth! With heartfelt condolences and love during this difficult time,
- Suzanne Donovan & Brian Armstrong, Savannah, Ga
Tommie loved my daughters, Trisha and Jessica, like her very own….all who met her soon discovered she was a sweet and gentle soul. I count it a blessing to have been touched by her life, if only for very brief moments….
- Larry Miller, Ocala, Florida
To all branches of Tommie's family, You were all so blessed by Tommie's being part of your lives. Even when I was small and she Jimmy lived next to our grandparents, I knew she was special. She always welcomed us (rambunctious children) in for a cold drink, even if we were dripping from the river or dirty from rolling down the hill or playing in the woods. I know she will be missed, and I pray your sorrow will be tempered by wonderful memories. ANGELA McIntosh Mahany
- Angela McIntosh Mahany, Savannah, GA
Tommy was the most welcoming grown up of our lives! She always had a smile and a way of making all our teen problems seem solvable ....I worked for Tommy at the Horses Mouth and learned so much about retail and life. Tommy gave me and most of us a broader view of our lives and the opportunities that we could reach out and grab and she did it with humor and grace and empowered us to BELIVE we could do anything! Blessings to her and the family she so loved!
- Rae Forker Evans, Savannah , Ga
WE join you in your sorrow. Tommy was a lovely lady,a joy to know, from a beautiful family.
- Tom & Mary Barker, Perry, GA
To the OSBorne family i am so sorry for your loss.death is not a easy thing to get use to,death is not a normal thing to bear. But God promises a resurrection for mankind to bring them back to life.The scripture at John 5:28,29 it will give the family strengh and comfort. Again i am sorry for your loss.
- Mary Cooper, savannah, ga
One of my favorite friends of many years!
- Diane, Dacula, Ga
I was very honored to know Tommie. Extremely genuine and Kind. Beautiful inside and out. She will be missed. May she rest in peace.
- Patty Demere, Savannah, GA
To Tommie's beautiful life and her extraordinary extended family ~ I wish I could have visited The Other End and The Horse's Mouth! With heartfelt condolences and love during this difficult time,
- Suzanne Donovan & Brian Armstrong, Savannah, Ga
Tommie loved my daughters, Trisha and Jessica, like her very own….all who met her soon discovered she was a sweet and gentle soul. I count it a blessing to have been touched by her life, if only for very brief moments….
- Larry Miller, Ocala, Florida
To all branches of Tommie's family, You were all so blessed by Tommie's being part of your lives. Even when I was small and she Jimmy lived next to our grandparents, I knew she was special. She always welcomed us (rambunctious children) in for a cold drink, even if we were dripping from the river or dirty from rolling down the hill or playing in the woods. I know she will be missed, and I pray your sorrow will be tempered by wonderful memories. ANGELA McIntosh Mahany
- Angela McIntosh Mahany, Savannah, GA
Tommy was the most welcoming grown up of our lives! She always had a smile and a way of making all our teen problems seem solvable ....I worked for Tommy at the Horses Mouth and learned so much about retail and life. Tommy gave me and most of us a broader view of our lives and the opportunities that we could reach out and grab and she did it with humor and grace and empowered us to BELIVE we could do anything! Blessings to her and the family she so loved!
- Rae Forker Evans, Savannah , Ga
WE join you in your sorrow. Tommy was a lovely lady,a joy to know, from a beautiful family.
- Tom & Mary Barker, Perry, GA
To the OSBorne family i am so sorry for your loss.death is not a easy thing to get use to,death is not a normal thing to bear. But God promises a resurrection for mankind to bring them back to life.The scripture at John 5:28,29 it will give the family strengh and comfort. Again i am sorry for your loss.
- Mary Cooper, savannah, ga
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
