Mary Alice Leasure

Mary Alice Leasure (née Lowther), 92, of Lebanon, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 5, 2026, at Traditions of Lebanon.

She was born May 9, 1934, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Claude and Lucy (née Winkle) Lowther. Mary Alice was preceded in death by her parents; her infant sister Julie Ann Lowther, her sister, Elizabeth "Betty" Lyon; and her brother, Claude "Buster" Lowther.

A proud Cincinnatian, she was a graduate of Western Hills High School. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Business from Miami University in 1956, distinguishing herself as one of only four women in the business program during her time.

In 1956, she married the love of her life, George Leasure, beginning their marriage living in Germany when George was drafted into the US Army. Their partnership spanned nearly seven decades of family life, community service, and travel. Together they raised two children, Mark (Christye) Leasure of Lebanon and Sherrie (Scott) Bowers of Lebanon, and were blessed with five grandchildren: Jeremy Leasure, Justin Leasure, Kelsey Bowers, Cory (Chris) Goodwin, and Alex Bowers.

In 1976, Mary Alice and George co-founded Ghent Manufacturing, Inc., which eventually grew into GMi Companies, Inc. She cherished the legacy of their family-owned business.

Mary Alice was committed to supporting and mentoring youth. She was highly active in the Camp Fire organization, where she served on the Council of Camp Fire and led three different groups. She held a special passion for volunteering with Camp Firefly, building deep, lifelong bonds with her group members that she cherished and maintained throughout her entire life.

She was a founding member and past president of the Lebanon Council of Garden Clubs. She took immense pride in the council’s acquisition and preservation of the historic Lebanon train station, volunteering at the annual Garden Tour, and beautifying Lebanon.

Devoted to her community, Mary Alice dedicated decades of service to the people and city of Lebanon. Among her many efforts, she held a special fondness for her work on the Board of Festivals and Tourism. She particularly enjoyed her volunteer 'security guard' role at the annual Christmas Festival's Horse-Drawn Carriage Parade, a task she approached with great joy and humor.

Her commitment to service was widely recognized. In 2017, she and her husband George were inducted into the Warren County United Way Hall of Fame. That same year, the couple was honored with the Fabric of the Community Lifetime Achievement Award from Warren County Community Services.

Throughout her life, Mary Alice was an avid traveler, swimmer, crafter, seamstress, and gardener who loved sharing these passions with friends and family.

Above all, she will be remembered for her devotion to her family, her love of travel and adventure, and her lifelong commitment to beautifying and supporting the Lebanon community.

As requested by Mary Alice, the family will host a Celebration of Life in an open-house style at the Armstrong Conference Center on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM. At 6:00 PM, we will pause for an informal service. The floor will be opened for anyone who wishes to stand and share a favorite memory of Mary Alice with the room.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Warren County Foundation, the Warren County Historical Society or the Alzheimer's Association .