Norma Leach

Norma Mae Leach, devoted wife for 59 years of Robert Leach, died Feb. 28, 2010, at Providence Alaska Medical Center of congestive heart failure. She ws 79.

A celebration of life will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at First American Baptist Church, 1200 E. 27th Ave., with Pastor John C. Jeffers officiating.

Norma was born Nov. 28, 1930, in Long Beach, Calif., to Felix and Vena Rhyner. She adored her older brother, George. Norma was raised in a Christian home and throughout her life was a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ.

Norma met her future husband, Bob, at the Long Beach Armed Forces YMCA. They were married Feb. 24, 1951. Bob served in both the Navy and Air Force, retiring in 1969.

As an Air Force wife, Norma lived in numerous duty stations. She gave birth to two sons stateside and a daughter and a son while living in Japan. The family lived in California, Mississippi, Illinois, Japan and Libya, arriving in Alaska on Jan. 1, 1967, with four children, towing a travel trailer in the dead of winter up the famous Alaska Highway. Bob and Norma lived in their present home in Spenard since 1971.

Norma was gifted with a photographic memory and could remember everyone she met: friends, neighbors, neighbors' children, all her children's teachers, and pastors. She instilled strong values in her children to be followers of Christ, successful in school and career, and to be giving to others.

One year before Bob retired from Anchorage Community College, they purchased the 37-foot sailing boat Hale Lana. They sailed out of Seward in September 1984 and sold the Hale Lana in Florida in 1992.

Norma is survived by her husband of 59 years, Bob Leach; sons and daughters-in-law, Edward (Moe), Kenneth (Patti) and Brian (Penny), all of Anchorage; daughter, Laurel Leach of Whitmore Lake, Mich.; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission, 2823 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage 99507.