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Jean Marie Peat Leech
Jean Marie Peate Leech, 94 years old, of Fenelton, passed away Wednesday, March
20, 2024, at the home of her granddaughter Jessica, in Virginia, following a
brief illness.
Born January 10, 1930, daughter to Oran and Elsie Faye (Guthrie) Peat, in Peat
Hollow, Worthington, Jean was the last surviving member of her family.
She attended Worthington-West Franklin High School in Worthington, PA.
"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." - A.A.
Milne
Jean was a Renaissance woman, in that she perfected many things in her long
life. As an entrepreneur, she excelled in many business ventures, notably The
Junque Shoppe in Worthington and the Worthington Pizza & More Shop which she
co-owned with her sister, Janet.
Jean mastered the food service industry by providing excellent service at The
Main Restaurant and Summit Dinner in Butler and at Falsetti's Villa in Ford
City. Her employment with the Villa served as a lifelong enjoyment, even after
her retirement.
Jean always had a story about her time at the Villa, a laugh to share or a fond
memory, she even once took a trip to Hawaii with her co-workers, describing it
as a dream come true.
One of Jean's favorite things to do was collect antiques. Yard sales were a
must, as she looked for the perfect vintage figurine, glass vase or furniture
piece to add to her collection.
She kept herself busy as a league bowler and avid bingo player, which she played
with her daughter Jeannie.
Jean loved to garden and kept the outside of her house a perennial paradise,
with her infamous 8-foot-tall caster bean plants. Her favorite flowers were
roses and marigolds.
In her later days, she could be found watching WWE wrestling with her beloved
dog, Stella, drinking Ovaltine and spending sunny days on the porch under the
Tiki umbrella.
Jean's greatest accomplishment was the family that she cherished, and she
excelled in her role as the matriarch.
Her three daughters, Karen (Ted) Edwards of Fenelton, Kathy (Duane) Roofner of
Worthington and Jeannie (John) Aber of Natrona Heights; and son, LaMoine
(Carrie) Leech of Fenelton, were her most precious gift. She loved them
unconditionally.
The Peat family reunion was one of the most important days of every year, and
nothing gave her greater joy than talking proudly of her children.
As a grandmother, Jean was known affectionately as "Geebaw." Her home was always
open to anyone who walked through the door. She would offer them pancakes or a
cheeseburger and a glass of Ovaltine. She loved to cook and would often make
large batches of bean soup or chocolate cake with peanut butter icing to
distribute to her family.
She leaves behind 11 grandchildren, Amy (Bill) Broman of Butler, Kristin (Mark)
Ort of Saxonburg, Sherry (Dandy) Gadley of Worthington, Wendy (Kriss) Simmons of
Butler, Marion (Chris) Seavers of Worthington, Jessica (Zachary) Pyle of
Ashburn, Va., Joey (Bahar) Parker of Morristown, N.J., Tim (Hailey) Parker of
New Castle, Robert (Shelby) Leech of Fenelton, Daniel Leech of Chattanooga,
Tenn. and Jennifer (Brian) Chelko of Apollo; 17 great-grandchildren, Jacob and
Emma Broman, Jack, Jesse and Livie Ort, Jonathan Seavers, Dylan and Brandon
Gadley, Kallie and Alyssa Simmons, Warren and Weston Parker, Addy Parker,
Izabella Leech and Charlotte, Jason and Juliet Chelko; daughter-in-law, Patricia
Leech; and her first husband, Frank Koladish. She held her numerous nieces and
nephews close to her heart, she also had a soft spot for her great-grandnephew.
In Jean's final days, she found comfort in Psalm 23:5, " … my cup runneth
over." A very fitting verse to describe the era that was Jean Leech; full of
love, full of life, and eternally blessed.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert H.
Leech, whom she married Dec. 8, 1965; sister, Janet M. Hooks; brothers, Robert,
Richard, Chalmer, James, Harland, Edward and Thomas; and a stepson, Robert P.
Leech.
Friends of Jean M. Leech, who died Wednesday, March 20, 2024, will be received
from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 24, 2024, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at HILE
FUNERAL HOME OF CHICORA, 339 Chicora-Fenelton Road, Chicora. A funeral service
will follow at 11 a.m. Monday, with the Rev. Mark Wallace, pastor of the Chicora
Alliance Church, officiating.
The interment will be in Hemphill Cemetery, Chicora.
Memorial contributions may be made to Orphans of the Storm, P.O. Box 838,
Kittanning, PA 16201.
Arrangements by Hile Funeral Home of Chicora, Chicora, PA. |
