Sarah Elizabeth Leech Meehan

Sarah Elizabeth Leech Meehan The fight is o'er, the battle won. Sarah Elizabeth Leach Meehan, age 52, died Tuesday, October 9, 2007 after a courageous battle with Multiple Myeloma. She was born in Bradenton, Florida on February 24, 1955 to A. K. and Sheila Leach. She attended Salem College, where she concentrated on English and Music. She studied the organ at the North German Organ Academy, and went on to earn a M.F.A. in music from the prestigious New England Conservatory. Ms. Meehan spent her adult life enriching the cultural scene in Winston Salem. She was an accomplished and joyful organist, lutist, harpsichordist, conductor, and church music director. She also enjoyed playing her accordion and "fiddle." She conducted The Carolina Consort throughout the eighties, a professional baroque orchestra, which she also founded. She led the music program at Our Lady of Mercy in the late 80's and 90's, and became music director at St. Leo's in 1997, where she conducted the choir and children's choir, and added a handbell collection and handbell choir. She played the organ for most of the services, and was a devoted member of the congregation. One of her proudest achievements was taking St. Leo's adult choir to Italy in 1999, where they visited a number of historic areas, ending in Rome. They led singing at mass in St. Peter's Basilica and sang a concert program in St. Ignatius Church. This performance earned a standing ovation. She is survived by her two daughters, Katherine Teresa and Bronwyn Margaret, husband Brian John Meehan, mother Sheila Dyson Leach, sister Leslie Anne Leach Swackhamer, niece, Sarah Swackhamer, and her brother Albert Knight Leach, Jr. Her father, Albert Knight Leach and a brother, Robert, proceeded her to Heaven. Her caregiver for the past four-and-a-half years has been Dr. Joseph Francis Nicastro. The family all thank Joseph for the excellent care he has provided. There will be a visitation from 2:00pm – 4:00pm and from 6:00pm-7:30pm on Thursday at Vogler's Reynolda Chapel. A Recitation of the Rosary will begin at 7:00pm on Thursday evening followed by a vigil service. The funeral will be at 11:00am Friday, at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, with Fr. Jim Solari presiding. In lieu of flowers Ms. Meehan has requested that contributions be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation at 383 Main Ave., 5th Floor Norwalk, CT 06851 The family would like to thank the nurses, Dr. David Hurd, as well as Dr. Richard McQuellon for their compassionate care of Ms. Meehan during her illness. The family would also like to thank staff at the Comprehensive Cancer Center. These friends were especially helpful: Paula Evans, Kay Ralph, Carole Zellmer, Suzanna Weatherholt, Eileen Mischinski, and Leslie Swackhamer.