May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
It has been 3 yrs. you may be gone but you will never be forgotten. your spirit lives on in all of us and you are missed......
Happy Mothers Day Mom..You are thought about everyday..I Love You...
It has been a long 2 years, you have been missed greatly. Your presence in my life was great and powerful just like the woman you were. Your spirit lives on in MaKayla, who remembers you through pictures but loves you very much. Thanks for opening my eyes to birding and environmental issues and encouraging me to go back to school.
I love you and miss you -
Your second daughter - Wendy
2 Years too long without you.....
In My Pocket
I have memories in my pocket.
They rattle among the change.
My memories of you are treasures I carry wherever I go.
They are stored in bits and pieces, parts of a beautiful whole
They give me comfort when I think I am alone.
Yes, I have memories in my pocket, like so much other stuff I keep there.
But of all the treasures I have, it’s the memories of you that are the most precious.
It has been one long year without you. You are missed terribly.I miss picking up the phone and talking to you everyday. Words can never express what you meant to everyone. You would be so proud of your granddaughters they have come along way. May you always be at peace I know you are up there looking down on all of us and keeping us safe. I LOVE YOU MOM ! !
Gosh, I miss you more and more everyday!
Today would have been your birthday...I would have had to get in line for a lunch or dinner with you to celebrate. I would have chosen Captain Charlie's for you. I woke at 3 a.m. with a wet face. I had been dreaming and in my dream, you called me! You sounded like the same happy on-the-go woman I knew and loved. You mentioned that you were in a room full of people and you laughed and said you supposed you ought to go speak with them. It was great to hear your laugh - if only in my dream. Thank you for the birthday gift...I miss you every, every day.
One of the last of the Steel Magnolias to sign-I recently saw the movie again and it brought back so many wonderful memories of the champagne and pizza nights the five of us shared as we moved through our lives. We grew apart but those years are part of us and will always be special. I look at the photo of all of us as Leah was sworn in at the South Florida Water Management and felt the warmth of the caring person Leah was. A toast of champagne to you dear Leah-You will be missed.
Leah was respected, admired and proclaimed a local hero for her love, courage and dedication to the beauty and fragility of our community. Her integrity was impeccable. Her commitment to personal and evironmental health issues brought her respect from all who knew her. She held a tortch for the sanctity of all life that has forged a path for those who dream her same dream and will carry on her message. Passionate and compassionate describe Leah's life and her legacy. I send blessings to Leah and her family.
I had the pleasure of being one of Nelson's friends when we both attended the same elementary and high school. My heart goes out to him and his family. May you find peace in knowing how much your mother is loved and how fondly you are remembered. I sincerely regret we did not stay in touch over the years. My deepest condolences to you on your irreplaceable loss.
Leah was a longtime friend of our family. She was a devoted churchgoer and accomplished environmentalist, with unrelenting dedication to her causes. I trust that she and my father, the late Reverend Philip Perkins, are sharing jokes and laughs together in heaven. Delno, David and Cathy Perkins send their deepest condolences to Linda and Nelson. May God be with you.
For more than 20 years Leah served on the Okeeheelee Park Citizens Advisory Committee and I had the pleasure of working directly with her for the past eight. She was extremely dedicated to protecting the South Florida environment and was instrumental in the design and development of the Okeeheelee Park Nature Center, trails and sanctuary. Just weeks before her passing, I had the opportunity to honor her and other long standing advisory board memebers and we had a terrific time at dinner. I can't remember the last time I laughed that much reminiscing. Although she is no longer with us physically, her passion, vision and influence will remain with us forever.
I had the privilege and pleasure of working with Leah on the Okeeheelee Advisory Committee for twenty five years. Leah was the driving force behind the Nature Center within Okeeheelee Park. She spearheaded the Advisory Board's Committee working on the Nature Center project, attending countless meetings and making numerous field trips to Nature Centers far and wide. She brought all of her expertise back to the drawing board and helped incorporate the best ideas in the Nature Center design. The people of Palm Beach County owe her a huge debt of gratitude for the outstanding Nature Center that she in large part made the reality it is today. Leah always shared her wit and humor on all occasions and her marvelous laugh will be missed by us all. I had the good fortune of seeing her twice in the weeks before her death and am saddened that the future get togethers of the Okeeheelee members that we planned will not have her in attendance. She will always be there in spirit. Most Sincerely,
Lynne Stirling Reynolds
Dear Friends of Leah...
MEMORIAL SERVICE INFORMATION
It is so wonderful to read all of your beautiful words about our common friend and confidant, mother figure and mentor to many. I was so lucky to have gone on my first bird watch with Leah this last autumn after all these years. She had more fun seeing MY excitement - and being the 'get away driver' as I challenged her 'oh, let's go there, oooh, no, over there!' She was absolutely my mother figure ( I lost mine very young) and we both loved and...disagreed :( as mothers and daughters sometimes do...more on that some day.
BUT I would like to put together a book from these beautiful entries and plan to pay to keep Leah's Legacy alive on line forever. I would love to hear from you with any other stories or pictures.
AND I would like to remind everyone that the formal Memorial Service for Leah is THIS WEDNESDAY AT 3:00 P.M. at Grace Episcopal Church in WPB - corner of Australian Avenue and 36th Street. Please DO feel free to contact me with any questions, comments or messages for the family.
terrylynnknight@mindspring.com
Dear, fun, loyal Leah. I will miss your great laugh and our Steel Magnolia pow-wows. I'll always cherish the angel Christmas ornament you made me so long ago! I'm going to honor you with a donation to Audubon Canyon Ranch in Marin County, CA. Love, Suzanne
Oh Leah,
Years and the miles had separated us, but we continued to share and laugh and hug through emails. You have touched my life for over 22 years and the world was so blessed to have you in it. I will just say to you, dear friend, "We shall meet, laugh and hug someday soon with Champagne and Pizza."
All my love and best wishes to her family.
From a loving Steel Magnolia,
Julie
Leah - vibrant, personable, challenging, dedicated and much more. I had the honor of working with her, for her and yes, at times on opposite sides of Leah in many aspects of environmental permitting these past 30 years. She was always a professional lady who brought her commitment to working with and resolving the heart of the matter. And her inspiration will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends.
Our community has lost a great woman. It was an honor to know you, Leah, and I know how much you loved your family. I miss running into you at political rallies, and miss seeing you at the old Ralph's for a fast lunch. At last you are together with your husband. You leave us all with a great legacy of love.
To Nelson, Linda and all of Leah's family,
Leah loved you so and boasted of each one's talents. The shock of losing Leah has yet to be truly absorbed. Her numerous friends from so many groups are writing to this memorial. How Leah would love this! I'll miss our great talks and future plans. You will be with dear George, Leah. My love and prayers, Fran and family.
Our condolences to all of Leah's family. "The Steel Magnolias" will toast you, Leah, as you soar upward with the eagles!
Love, Julie, Nancy, Fran, Suzanne, and Randee
Hi Nelson and Linda,
Very sorry to hear about your mom.She was very close to my family and we loved her very much .Such a funny lady and so great with her flowers and caring .I remember her teaching at Grace and going to Nelson's birthday party .She was a peach .
All My Love
Mary (Keith) sevc
My sincere sympathy goes to Leah's family. She was a fabulous person. She had a big personality and an even bigger heart. She will be missed.
I only met Mrs. Schad in one opportunity but that was enough to know what a great human being she still is. That is because her legacy will stay with us and future generations for many years to come.
My sincere condolences to the Schad family. Losing a precious loved one is never easy so may you find comfort in your loving memories and the comfort that God provides.
2 Cor 1:3,4
To all of Leah's family and friends,
We were shocked and saddened to learn of Leah's sudden death last week.Although we have not seen her recently we kept in touch and she never failed to remember our birthdays.Leah brought a twinkle to my father's( George) eyes and much joy in the all too short time they had together.He was so proud of her selfless accomplishments and of her many close friends,
We appreciated her intellect, her humor and her birdwatching skills.
Sympathy to all and rest in peace, Leah
Lynne Stockless and Rick Stojak
It was a long hard journey, may her soul rest in peace.
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived.
Leah, "my oldest best friend" and what a wonderful friend for 38 years. We were each others rock through so many difficult times. My rock is gone now and I miss her. No more pain, Leah and you are with George. Hi, George, take good care of her. May you rest in peace. You will always be in my heart Ms. Schad. Love you forever.
Leah will live a long time in the heart of those that knew her. She helped protect the environment through her over 20 years of volunteer service on Palm Beach County Boards and Committees. I knew her as a dedicated and passionate member of the Groundwater and Natural Resources Protection Board. The beauty of Leah is in her spirit and in her humor, enjoying life regardless of her circumstance. Having lived a considered life, she made a positive difference in South Florida’s environment for the betterment of us all.
My sincere sympathy goes to Leah's family. She was a fabulous person. She had a big personality and an even bigger heart. Leah and I actually went to the same all girls private high school, Margaret Hall, in Versailles Kentucky. We often wondered aloud how small the world is that we would be connected in that way. I will truly miss her.AnEta
Dear Leah,
I may have been possibly one of the last people you called before you died.
I was not aware of who you were or your accomplishments. However, I learned very quickly what kind of person you were and that you cared deeply about your friends. You followed through to be sure Rosa Durando had what she needed to get well right up to the time of your death.
I provided the meals to Rosa for you today. I am happy that the Audubon Society completed your mission to help her. Rosa said she felt that you were "cheated". Here she is the one who is not well, but you had died. She was extremely grateful for your friendship and that you looked out for her.
I am grateful to have been a part of your last efforts to help someone in need. I am deeply moved by your sudden departure. May you rest in peace knowing you touched many lives and that you were so instrumental in making a difference in South Florida.
I love you, Leah. What an awesome person. I will miss you.
Leah, I barely know your daughter,
but it it clear to me that you did an excellent job ! To put it bluntly, LINDA ROCKS !!!!!
Thank you for that !
Roy
Leah, I never met you personally, but I do truly know and love you!
You see Leah, your daughter Linda is my best friend - a true friend. One like Im sure you were to so many. Linda's humor, kindness, and genuine caring is more special than I can say with words! You taught her well Leah, I know that your'e proud! Linda has told me so much about you, and her love and respect for you. In this special way by knowing your daughter, I have had the honor and privilege of knowing you! Thank you Leah.
Dear Leah
My hearfelt sympathy goes out to your family -- you will be missed so very much. You were a formidale woman of conviction, courage and strength. You were a passionate and perservering voice for the environment. You were a warm and caring friend who continually extended herself for others. You have left a proud legacy and a large footprint on the earth and in our hearts. You will be remembered with love and with honor.
Already I sorely miss Leah. One has only to read the tributes in this guest book to recognize that she was the glue that held a lot of us "friends of Leah" together. Once a friend of Leah, you know a lot of people whom you've never actually met. I gather that all of us can cite a special shared moment, spicy joke, important cause. Leah's long and public advocacy on behalf of the environment and natural resources was her hallmark, but she was also an advocate of music, dance, arts, social justice. Hers was a generous spirit. She brought us together to do things that no one of us could do alone.
Her children and grandchildren should know that she loved each of them unequivocally, completely and with gusto. I know 'cause she told me so. I think she told all her other friends too. I could go on...and on... and on some more. I won't, I'll just say it again: Gee, I miss Leah.
You are one of a kind and we will miss you so very much. I have probably known you for over 45 years and was your "favorite" and only baby sitter for Linda and Nelson. Growing up across the street from you and Woody was a special time and has great memories to this day. When we talked in August it was like the years had faded away and I was still the little girl across the street. You and Terry are quite the duo and we know that she feels like a part of herself is missing, but the memories and good times will help Terri like it will the rest of us. You are a very special lady and we are so glad to have had you in our lives all these years.
My deepest condolences to Leah's family - whom I did not know personnaly. However, I knew your Mom and Grandmother for nearly 50 years. We flitted in and out of each others lives and always had a lot of laughs together. She was and is a beautiful person. The world has lost a gem. Rest now Leah dear.
Doris
My dear friend of 25 years was strong willed, compassionate, passionate and yet always wrapped in gales of laughter. Every time we spoke I always learned something from her. Leah had so many varied interests that she was never boring. But her legacy is that of a person who gave her time, energy, talents and knowledge to make a better place. I will never forget her. My thoughts are with you - Nelson, Linda and family.
Just before the holidays we talked about Christmas wreaths, projects, and feeling better: As if nothing would ever change, some laughter, and I’ll see you soon. As always, no time had come between us.
Leah, You will be missed so very much by those of us who loved you. I think I have probably known you for 45 years, since we lived across the street from you and I was your "favorite" babysitter for Linda and Nelson. Now we have all grown up with our own families but when I talked to you last July, time faded. You were the same wonderful woman that I grew up knowing. You and Terri were quite a duo, Dave and I know that Terri will miss you so much. I know we feel blessed to have known you since I was a little girl..
Leah, your were in the forefront in protecting south Florida's environment and quality of life. You will be missed. Knowing you and working with you for the last 20 years was a privilege.
Leah was one of the best people I have ever known. She never cared for pleasing herself...everyone and everything came before she even remotely thought about herself. She always made me and the Smith family laugh, no matter the situation, she knew how to make people smile. Her love for the environment, family, friends, and life in general will never be forgotten--it will always carry on. And even though she may not physically be here, don't for a second think she is not surrounding us all, looking down with her true love smiling and saying everything is going to be fine....Leah's word was as solid as her heart. We will miss Leah but know that she is surrounding us all with love. Thank you Leah for the wonderful caring life that you shared with everyone! We love you always. My love goes out to the family.
My fondest memory of Leah involves a surprise birthday lunch(at her home) for Missy McArdle. Leah served her famoust Bourbon Nut Cake and I must have eaten 3 or 4 pieces. Being a good Southern Baptist, I was teased from that point forward for my fondness for this cake. Leah never missed an opportunity to PUBLICLY remind me about this! And I loved every minute of it!
Our community has lost a dear friend.
I will truly miss our chats about family life and finding the humorous side of challenging circumstances and politics. Condolences to all of Leah's family, and to the entire community who will no longer benefit from Leah's selfless dedication to making this part of our world a better place for all.
Leah..any time there was an environmental cause to champion, you would always roll up your pant legs and jump right in! The tougher the issue, the more you seemed to enjoy it. Many can't say this, but the world truly is a better place for you being here, especially as it relates to protecting the environment for future generations and your kindness to others. Good Job!
Dear Leah,
Thank you for 23 years of friendship and for always being there for me. You will be missed.
Hey Girlfriend! Thank you for being you, in all the ways you have been,so many people loved you, admired, respected, and valued you. You gave us a standard to be in the world with, so thank you. Your prayers and support during the the fight with cancer was a blessing, my prayer partner. Thank you, God has blessed you abundantly, Welcome HOME. Claudia Deprez
Leah, thank you for your dediation to Audubon and the environment in Florida. Your friendship and constant dedication shines as a guiding light to those who now follow in your footsteps and we are greatfull that you left us a well traveled path.
I miss you Gram...I still can't believe your gone! I find myself wanting to call your house to hear your voice. Remember what I always said, "Love you to pieces".
Diane
MY MOM,
You will be missed so much by your loving family. You were my friend, my mentor but most of all you were my Mom. I will miss talking to you every day. You were devoted to a cause and never ever took any grief from anyone and if the challenge was there you jumped right in. I will always remember your humorus side and the joker you sometimes could be. I love you.
Leah was a loyal and loving friend to my late mother and me for many years. Leah was also a warrior in the very best sense of the term. And she was wonderfully down to earth and human. No-one appreciated a dirty joke more than Leah!
May light perpetual shine upon her.
It was my pleasures to work with Leah on the Callery Judge Citizens Advisory Committee. My condolences to her family.
A great loss to our community. A true leader defending our quality of life.
I'll miss lunch next week and catching up with you. Jim and I both valued your friendship, laughter, great brain, family love, and commitment to the environment. We who love trees, birds, and butterflies; we who hope for the future generations of Americans; we who believe in statesmanship and democracy; we will miss you.
My dear Leah...I won't even dare to write until I can stop crying long enough to write properly...a lady with your style wouldn't stand for my blubbering, blundering attempt at a tribute to my friend, my mentor, my gracious self appointed mom. I just love you. Terry
Leah,
You will be greatly missed by the Casperson household. I am to be known as your other daughter and was priviledged to know you. You were a champion of all things natural. You always remembered birthdays and anniversaries. My children will remember you as a wonderful and loving person. I will make sure they will remember you always. Make sure you keep George on your cloud. God is glad you are there so you can keep him in line becasue I know you can. Love you always.
Florida, Palm Beach County and the Everglades have lost a great friend and advocate, and the West Palm Beach Fishing Club has lost one of its most valued members. Thankfully her love, compassion and caring will live on through her son, Nelson, and the rest of her family. He will miss you, Leah.
Donn Colee, West Palm Beach Fishing Club Board Member, Commissioner Florida Inland Navigation District
Dear Friend, what a huge HOLE you have left us to fill! Your unique talents, interests and abilities are not replaceable, including your concern and care for your family and friends.
Rest in Peace!
Cynthia P
Leah will be missed by all - she was a very dear friend and advisor to many. No matter what the question and subject, she always had an answer and always headed you in the right direction. We will all miss her.
Leah,
I'm at a loss for words you were such an inspiration to everyone! You will be truely missed by all who have known you!
What a tremendous loss to our community and our state. Like so many others throughout the state, I will miss Leah on a professional and personal level, but feel very blessed for the pleasure of her friendship and guidance while I had them. God speed, Leah.
We'll all miss Leah, and her cheery smile, her optimism about the future, and her willingness to make good things happen.
Leah --
You were my loyal friend for 20 years. Thank you for that and all the laughs we shared. You already are greatly missed.
I shall always remember her beautiful Christmas wreaths. She was a wonderful person who dedicated herself to protecting the environment and standing up for environmental issues. My thoughts are with her family at this time.
Leah,
You were the spirit behind our partnership to lead the capitol campaign for all the exhibits and displays to be installed at the new Visitor Center of the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge later this year.
We will carry on the work you started. Your co-chairs
Nancy Marshall & Josette Kaufman
My condolences to Leah's family. Your loss is also the community's loss. As an active and engaged City advocate, she always stepped up to speak the truth as she saw it. Without fear and without reservation, she would speak up and speak often. The neighborhood has lost a friend, an advocate and a shining example of responsible citizenship. She will be greatly missed. May God bless and rest her soul.
The Arthur R. Marshall Foundation was fortunate to have Leah as a part of our environmental family. She was so passionate about the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge that she devoted many of her final days to a vigorous capital campaign raising funds for educational displays and exhibits at the Refuge’s new Visitor Center. As a tribute to the extensive work Leah did on behalf of the Refuge, we hope to memorialize her with an exhibit in her name that would carry on her tremendous legacy. Her humor, smile and enthusiasm will be missed by our team but will live on at the Refuge and the other natural areas she loved.
I had the pleasure of knowing Leah through her work with the board of the GALE ENVIRONMENTAL ACADEMY at Forest Hill High School. She was, above all, an advocate for the environment and wanted to make sure that her passion and stewardship were passed on through our academy. She was a tireless worker, a great orgarizer and a wonderful person. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
I have had the pleasure of working with Leah for over 20 years in various activities, boards, committees, hearings and personal contact. She was a tireless worker, offered suggestions for projects and positions at the right moment and had seemingly unlimited contacts for information, speakers and persons to provide input into whatever we were doing. A truly amazing individual who will be missed especially by the environmental community but also by others who had the good fortune to really get to know her.
Leah, my friend, thank you for the countless hours you devoted to establishing a Nationally Award winning Environmental Academy at Forest Hill Community High School. An Academy dedicaed to educating students to become "stewards of the environment" - so many students over the past 13 years.
I will miss you and your Christmas wreaths.
MommaSchad,
YOU WILL BE SO MISSED! Not only have you been an inspiration to everyone you have touched but, also a mentor. Words can not describe the loss in my heart. Your family is the legacy you have past on to this world. They truley have your traits. I am glad your out of pain and home. Hope to see you on the other side.
Leah was a good lady, a very good friend. We thought the world of her. She was especially good on the water management board -- she protected our environment, our water. Don't know what we are going to do without her.
A great loss for the conservation movement in Florida. ALso a great loss of one of the fearless leaders in the Audubon family.
Leah was a wonderful person who could always make me laugh. I enjoyed working with her when she was a board member at SFWMD. I also admired her tremendously. She never had any problem speaking her mind..lol She is together now with her beloved husband and she is not in any more pain. I shall miss her.
I only recently got to know Leah but I could easily see her tremendous passion and dedication when it came to all things environmental. She also never failed to surprise me and make me laugh with her to-the-point observations. My condolences go out to her family - we in the environmental community are grieving with you.
Leah was one of the most hard-working woman I know, devoting her life to the environmental community. Leah was always compassionate about her volunteer work, even with her brusque disposition. Her sense of humor, and her wealth of knowledge and advice will be very sadly missed.
May God Bless the family of Leah Schad, to continue in the High Spirited Manner, in which she lead her life. She was a wonderful person, and she will be forwever missed.
Gram:
I can't believe your gone! I was just talking to you yesterday and we were supposed to get together last night so I could bring you your Girl Scout Cookies.
I am so glad that Melissa, MaKayla, and I got a chance to get together with you and Aunt Cathy on Sunday. I will always remember that day, the 4 of us looking at old pictures laughing at the way you and Aunt Cathy used to wear your hair..it was priceless!
I am sorry for MaKayla breaking your porcelain bowl but you told me not to worry about it. She was on a tear that day wasn't she? Wanting to know what Great Grandma's house was all about!
I remember, all you wanted for Christmas was to have the family all together again and we were, that was the best night of my life! Melissa, MaKayla, and I love you soooo much. I will make sure MaKayla knows who you were and what you stood for. I am glad you are no longer in pain.
Love you to Pieces,
Diane
Leah Schad devoted her life to the protection of the environment and has been one of the most important people in the environmental movement in Florida. Her service on the boards of the Florida Audubon Society, as Florida Audubon Society Board Chair, as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Audubon Society, and as Governing Board Member of the South Florida Water Management District did much to strengthen and move forward the mission of these organizatons.
Beyond all else, Leah was a friend whose smile, humor and compassion will be sorely missed by everyone fortunate enough to know her.
The Environmental community will miss her.
My friend of thirty years, my mentor, my second mother. You shall always be in my heart and I will always miss you.
May the angels enfold you in their wings and take you home.
We will forever miss you, our friend and champion!
Leah was a very dear friend who will be sorely missed. She was the definition of selfless, doing so much for the community and the environment. In addition to her well publicized work for the state and local Audobon organizations, she served on the board of the support organization for the GALE environmental magnet program at Forest Hill Community High School, for years organizing and running the program's scholarship dinner, for the benefit of the program's students. Our community has lost a wonderful person.