Dorothy Leach
Dorothy Leach of Old Forge passed away on September 28, 2012, at the age of 89.
Dorothy Mae was born on September 7, 1923 in Parkside, PA, daughter of Edgar Ross and Jennie Miller Derrick. She was a graduate of Nether Providence High School of Chester, PA in 1941.
She was Chief Secretary to the VP of American Viscose in Marcus Hook, PA and during World War II traveled alone by train to Ft. Lewis in Washington State to marry John J. Leach of Utica, NY on December 20, 1944. John (Jack) immediately shipped out to the Pacific Arena for the next three years, and Dorothy returned to PA to her employment.
Upon Jack’s return they lived in Canton, NY (St. Lawrence University) and then several towns where Jack was the Superintendent of Schools (Sandy Creek, Minerva) and eventually settled in Old Forge where John was Superintendent of Schools for the Town of Webb.
In 1976 the Leach family purchased and continues to operate, The Adirondack Woodcraft Camps, a private children’s summer camp in Old Forge, where Dorothy “Mi Mi” has been the proud and efficient Matriarch.
Jack Leach passed away in October 1986.Dorothy is survived by four children and their spouses, Judy (Bill) Wengert, John (Pam) Leach, David (Lesley) Leach, all of Old Forge, and Tim (Mary) Leach of Blue Mt. Lake, NY; seven grandchildren, Kristin (Terence) Daly of Sanford, ME; Bill (Jessica) Wengert of Whitesboro, NY; Jennifer (Bert) Spears of Kingston Springs, TN; Tim Leach of Old Forge; Berkley (Matt) Baldwin of Bend, OR; Sharon Leach of Glens Falls, NY; and Taylor Leach of Bend, OR; seven great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Elizabeth Derrick of Media, PA; and a brother- in-law Thomas (Peg) Leach of Carthage, NY; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to Jack; Dorothy was predeceased by her sister Marion, in infancy; a brother Edgar P. Derrick of Media, PA; and her grandson Jay Leach of Old Forge in 1997.
The Leach family extends a most heartfelt thank you to the nursing staff of the 3rd Floor West of the Allen Calder wing of St. Luke’s Hospital. Their caring, kind and compassionate treatment of both patient and family was most appreciated.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, October 3 at Niccolls Memorial Presbyterian Church, 228 Crosby Blvd., Old Forge, with Rev. Lawrence Bartel officiating.
Interment will be in Riverview Cemetery, Old Forge. Dimbleby, Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral Home of Old Forge was in charge of the arrangements.
Online expressions of sympathy may be left at www.dfwefh.com.
