October 09, 1945 - December 07, 2009
Joan Lavelle Leach Obituary
Our dearest Joan passed away from sudden cardiac arrest on Monday, December 7. Joan was born in Spokane on October 9, 1945, the third of four children. She had three brothers, Dick, Bob and Doug (deceased). She was the daughter of Charles and Katharine McCray (deceased). She graduated from Shadle Park in 1965, where she played tennis and was a member of the Hi-Lassie drill team. She was married to David Leach, Sr. of Big Bear, California. They had four children: Julie (daughter) died four days after birth; David (son) and Tina Leach live in Arizona with daughters Chelsie, Mariah, and Karli; Kim (daughter) Maxwell resides in Medical Lake, Washington, her daughters Meghan and Madison live in Raymond, Washington; Gavin (son) and Koby Leach and sons Nolan, Braiden and Ryder live in Airway Heights, Washington. She is survived by: Dick McCray, his two daughters Stephanie Smolen, Colleen Bloom and families; Bob and Tessa McCray, Amy Byrd and family; Barbara McCray, Erika Mullins, Allison Still and families; as well as cousin Jean Butterworth and family in Endicott City, Maryland. At Eastern Washington University Joan earned a degree in elementary education and a Master's degree in educational administration. She taught school in Lancaster, California, Newport, Washington, and Raymond, Washington. She was assistant principal at Sadie Halstead Middle School in Newport and principal at Meadow Ridge Elementary, Mead, Washington. In 2000 she became principal of Raymond Elementary in Raymond, Washington. She led her school to become a School of Distinction and she was recognized as an Outstanding Elementary Principal in the state. This was one of her proudest achievements. Joan took big bites out of life. She loved to travel, having been to Europe, Mexico, and most of the American states. Joan would put her children in the car and take off for parts unknown. She loved to explore the backwoods, highways, and byways. She loved to paint and draw and looked forward to furthering her artistic skills when she retired. Her greatest love was returning each summer to the family cabin, which was founded in 1949, at Priest Lake, Idaho to gather with family and friends. She spent hours each day in July and August in the water laughing and playing with her children and grandchildren. She will forever be missed by all of us who love her. Memorial services with graveside services to follow will be held at the Sunset Chapel at Fairmount Memorial Park, 5200 W. Wellesley Avenue, Spokane, WA at 1 p.m. on Friday, December 18, 2009. Burial arrangements provided by Heritage Funeral Homes. A "Joan Leach Scholarship Fund" has been established for Meghan & Madison Maxwell at Bank of America.