Catherine Leisring-Beard

Catherine Anne Leisring-Beard, 33, went to be with Jesus on November 26th, surrounded by her loving family at home. She was an extraordinary and devoted mother to her three beautiful children, Alexander, Joanna, and Jane, and a precious wife and best friend to Andrew Beard. Catherine was known to all for her deep compassion, kindness, and generosity-not only toward people but to all living things. She embodied the fruits of the spirit and lived a life that radiated her love for God and others. Born on March 5th, 1991, in Cincinnati, moments after her identical twin and bestie, Madeline. Catherine was a beloved daughter to Jim and Sue Leisring. She attended Oak Hills High School and later graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in Early Childhood Education, where she met her husband, Andrew. Her love for children, especially those with special needs, was rooted in her time working at camps that celebrated these children by expanding their experiences with hiking, group adventures, and opportunities to grow. On July 2nd, 2017, Catherine married Andrew, and together they had a son, Alexander, followed by twin girls, Joanna and Jane. Along with her children, she cherished her three cats Cesar, Koba, and Maggie and Finn their dog, as well as every creature that ventured onto their humble property. She prioritized her time with family and extended family, ensuring that everyone felt seen, heard, and cared for with intentionality and love. In moments of quiet reflection, Catherine enjoyed reading, traveling, and hiking-particularly in places surrounded by pines and where the Blue Ridge Mountains stretched across the horizon. These moments reflected her love for God's creation and her ability to find beauty in the world around her. Catherine faced difficult challenges in her life but was steadfast as a gentle and selfless person. She was humble and uncompromising on prioritizing others, especially her kids. She rarely complained and avoided attention, but her strength and courage were impossible to ignore to those around her. She is survived by her husband, Andrew; her children, Alexander, Joanna, and Jane; her parents, Jim and Sue Leisring; and her siblings Claire (& Gavin), Stephen, Mark (& Stephanie), and twin Madeline (& Derek). She is also survived by Andrew's parents, Paul and Susan Beard, and his sister, Hallie (& Adam), along with all her beloved nieces and nephews: Adele, Izzy, Jack, Forest & Emmett, Alice, Elijah, Tucker, Brooks, Matilda, and Lily. Catherine was preceded in death by her brother, Peter James Leisring; her grandparents Norbert Evans, Thelma "Peggy" Evans, Justin Leisring, and Ruth Leisring; and her uncle Justin "Jay" Leisring Jr. Calling hours will be held on Friday, December 6th, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and again on Saturday, December 7th morning from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM. A celebration of life service will follow on Saturday from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Lifepoint Church, 800 West Central Avenue, Delaware, OH 43015. Family and friends are invited to honor Catherine's life and share memories of the joy and love she brought to everyone who knew her. Donations can be made here to honor Catherine and support Camp Nuhop, an inclusive summer camp for all kids, with a focus on those living with ASD, ADHD, learning disabilities, mood disorders, and other neurodiversities. This organization reflects her love and commitment to enriching the lives of children with special needs, a cause she cared deeply about. Catherine's cherished bible verse was Matthew 11:28–30: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Catherine Leisring-Beard, please visit our floral store.