Melba Franke Leach

1950 - 2024

Melba Franke Leach

October 17, 1950 - January 30, 2024

Lexington, Kentucky - Melba Franke Leach passed away January 30, 2024, following a 3 year hard fought health issue.

Melba was born October 17, 1950, to Darwin Franke and June Havens Franke in Warren Pennsylvania. Her family moved during her early life as required by her father's job and settled in Frankfort KY where Melba finished high school and began college. She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister and nephew. Melba is survived by two other sisters, a brother, 6 nieces and nephews as well as her husband Roy Leach, 2 children: Jonathan Claypoole Leach (Rachel) and Darci Helen Aiello (Chris) and grandchildren Maddox and Ash.

Early in life Melba wrote that her life desire was to be an aide and comfort to others, especially young children. Following jobs in retail and mental hospital employment she began a job travelling to elementary schools in several states installing computer equipment and software and helping train their staff. That lead to a job in elementary schools of Fayette County, mostly Maxwell and Arlington, where she realized that this was where she was always destined to be. She loved the opportunity to work with the children, and the teachers and staff and made many of her best friends with whom she has always kept in touch and enjoyed group luncheon/meetings. Melba's very very close friends also included neighbors she and her family lived near, the Red Tent Book Club of Lexington as well as high school friends with whom she maintained connection. Melba was known by all to be a gregarious friend and loved by all. She was of course loved by her family to a degree beyond words' ability to express.

Melba will be remembered in a memorial service March 17, 3:00pm at the Downtown Community of First United Methodist Church, 200 W. High Street, Lexington. Prior to the service a visitation for all those desiring will be hosted in the same location at 1:30pm. In lieu of flowers, Melba would appreciate gifts to the Woodstock Animal Foundation, a 501c3 organization officed at 843 Lane Allen Road, Lexington 40504.