Chicago community leader, 32 y-o Leonore Draper, killed by gunfire after leaving an anti-violence fundraiser......She was a senior grants analyst for the Chicago Public Schools, a Girl Scout leader, and a volunteer for Multiple Sclerosis Walk Chicago

by Michele Richinick, MSNBC | April 28, 2014 at 5:19 PM

A Chicago woman who was shot to death on Friday night after returning home from an anti-violence fundraiser had dedicated her life to the local community, her family said in a statement.

Leonore Draper. (Photo courtesy of Facebook)

Leonore Draper, 32, had attended A Charitable Confection prior to her violent death from an apparent drive-by shooting while exiting her car outside her home. Chicago teenagers organized the anti-violence group Project Orange Tree to initiate efforts and to combat all forms of violence in their communities.

“We believe it quite ironic that Leonore’s life ended violently when she was so committed to the betterment of our community,” her family said in a statement on Sunday.

Draper, originally from Houston, Texas, lived in Chicago with her husband, Jason. She was a senior grants analyst for the Chicago Public Schools, a Girl Scout leader, and a volunteer for Multiple Sclerosis Walk Chicago, her family said.

She was active in her church and honed her skills as a make-up artist and she recently earned her master’s degree from nearby DePaul University.

Draper’s family encouraged local leaders to create and support new programs aimed at curbing gun violence. more