Obituary of Lorraine F. Leach

LEACH, Lorraine F. Nee Abbott, age 56, loving wife, mother and sister, cherished grandmother, and caring friend, died at home as the sun rose on Friday, September 30, 2005, following a challenging battle with leukemia. She became a gift to the world on February 12, 1949 to her late parents Leonard and Mary Abbott, growing up in Philadelphia before forever changing her life through her union with John M. Leach on September 12, 1969. Shortly thereafter, they blessed the world with their three daughters, Michelle, Jacqueline, and Christine, and their son, John, meeting the challenges of raising a family with strength and humor. The family eventually settled in Sewell, New Jersey, where she lived until this day. Lorraine lived to witness the unions of her three daughters to their husbands, and the birth of her grandchild, Katie, whom she loved as only a grandmother could love. Lorraine worked until recently at Hollydell Center, where she unselfishly devoted her time and energy to caring for special-needs children, bringing love, joy and smiles to those less fortunate. She often spoke fondly of her coworkers, whom she considered her friends and family. Throughout the years, Lorraine loved gardening, nurturing plants and flowers with the same care and attention she provided to her family and friends. Lorraine loved the warmth of the sun, whether feeling its first rays at sunrise, its last rays at sunset over the Delaware Bay, or while just sitting in her garden or at the beach, an activity she enjoyed most with her granddaughter. She enjoyed collecting figures and images of lighthouses, objects that guide us along a path to a final destination. In addition to her husband, children and grandchild, Lorraine is survived by her brothers, Leonard and John Joan Abbott; her sister, Mary Ann Abbott; her mother-in-law, Kathryn Salvato, and her sister-in-law, Mary Leach. Viewing TUES. 8:30 to 10:15 A.M. in the McGUINNESS FUNERAL HOME, 573 Egg Harbor Rd., Washington Twp., Sewell, NJ. Funeral Mass TUES. 11 A.M. at Our Lady of Lourdes RC Church, 500 Greentree Rd., Glassboro, NJ. Interment Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Williamstown, NJ. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 216 Haddon Ave., Westmont, NJ 08108. ?The "Lifetime Tribute Funeral Home."