IN MEMORIAM: Leah Waits, 97, Cooperstown
COOPERSTOWN – Leah Maxine Henry Waits, 97, of Cooperstown, formerly of Springfield, Ohio, passed away on Dec. 14, 2015.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Pamela and Philip Washburn of Cooperstown.
Born to the late Lucinda (Lula) Hubbard Henry and Carl Henry of Chicago, Ill., Aug. 6, 1918, in St. Louis, Mo., Leah graduated from Milan High School in 1938 and attended Trenton Junior College, now North Central Missouri College, Trenton, Mo.
Upon her marriage to Harold L. Waits (deceased, 1991) in 1942, and relocating to Ohio, she raised two daughters and was employed as a budget analyst at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. She retired in 1984 after twenty-five years of service.
She was a member of First Christian Church in Springfield, Ohio, for almost 70 years. Leah was the founding member of Springfield Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, 1945, a volunteer for the Springfield Symphony, and a member of the Clark County Historical Society.
Leah was a devoted mother and homemaker who enjoyed her children, grandchildren and great-grandson. In addition to the Washburns, she is survived by another daughter and son-in-law, Penny and Martin West of Ligonier, Pa.; four grandchildren, Matthew and John Washburn, Jane and Benjamin West (Karen Crowther); one great-grandson, Alexander M. Washburn; and many wonderful and attentive cousins of St. Louis, Mo.
Her optimistic and generous spirit will be missed by all who knew her.
A memorial service will be announced at a later date.
Arrangements are with the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home.
