Lee Anderson Leach

Lee Anderson Leach of Decatur, GA, passed away February 23, 2023, just short of her 88th birthday. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 11, at 11 am at Christ Church Episcopal, 400 Holcomb Bridge Rd, Norcross, Georgia, 30071, with reception to follow, celebrating the life of a woman who was passionate about her family and country, as well as cooking, gardening, and dogs.

Born in Washington state to Swedish and Italian immigrants, Lee moved with her family to Sandy Springs in the mid-1940s. She attended North Fulton High School and the University of Georgia, but soon transferred to what is now Georgia State to pursue a business degree. Instead, fate and a double date introduced her to Van Leach, whom she married in 1955.

In 1958, Lee and Van moved to a newly-built Decatur subdivision where they raised their two daughters and a son. Van was a sales manager for Hardwick Stove Company and Lee managed the home office while bringing up the children. Later she traveled with Van to call on customers in the Caribbean, Central and South America. When the children left for college, she worked for Emory's School of Nursing and then the Orthopedic Department, but her family always came first, as she and Van welcomed in-laws and then seven grandchildren.

After Van died, Lee retired but never slowed down. Expanding her knowledge beyond her own gardens, she earned Master Gardener and Urban Forester certificates, volunteered at Trees of Tucker and the Tucker Butterfly Garden where she was known as dresser of the 'scarecrow' Mrs. Fritillary who was always fashionable and tasteful, just like Lee. She was a voracious reader, especially of WWII history and classic mysteries, and a fan of classic films. Lee had a deep love and respect for her country and never passed up an opportunity to express it. Having lived in the same house for 64 years, independent to the end, she was an icon of the neighborhood, friend to every child and dog.

Her love for her family was expressed in everything she did - she delighted in having time alone with family members but also seeing her family at the ever-growing table, enjoying her food and each other's company, re-telling family stories and adding new ones. While they know they can never match her culinary and hospitality skills, her family is committed to honoring her favorite traditions.

Lee is survived by children Jodi Arminio (John); Lori Landis (Tony); Kyle Leach (Carmen); grandchildren Peter Landis, JJ Arminio (Mary Tyler), Jordan Leach (Kristen), Jessica Landis, Nick Arminio, Andrew Leach and Anneliese Leach; six great-grandchildren; and her sister, Ruth Anderson Fulford. She is pre-deceased by her husband, Van Craig Leach, and her brother, John (Bud) Anderson. To honor Lee's memory, the family suggests donations to the Tucker Butterfly Garden (by check to "DeKalb County Extension/4H", 312 Ridgeland Ave, Decatur, GA, 30030) or Tunnel To Towers www.t2t.org/donate.