Carol Anne Leach

Carol and I were BFFs since 1992. Oh! The sharing we loved. Day trips! A weekend in Kansas City! I had to move to AZ in 1997 for my health, so she visited me here and I visited her there. She was Matron of Honor at my 1999 marriage to Mike. He and I were once asked to stay in her co-op while we visited Des Moines, even though she was out of state! Her trips to visit me in AZ were just great. Once, I took her for a boat ride on a double-decker boat on a lake near Phoenix. Somebody above us...

It has been nearly 30 years since I worked with my friend and mentor Carol. I still keep a picture of her on my desk where ever I go. She was brilliant, kind, strong and the most resourceful person I know. She loved her children and friends with all her heart and wanted nothing but the best for all of us. Rest in peace dear Carol. I will cherish you forever...Inza

Carol was a dear soul with her priorities all in the right place. I was privileged to serve alongside her in the editing of several books of stories about LGBT persons of sacred worth at Grace United Methodist Church. She was the first person to tell me to say "ouch" when someone makes a derogatory remark about another person. She was always welcoming and encouraging. I am glad I knew her; she enriched the lives of all those around her.