Leisa Kay Dare

Leisa Kay Dare (62) of Milford, Massachusetts passed away on Sunday June 9, 2024, surrounded by her mother and sister. Born in Huntsville, Alabama on May 23, 1962, she spent her childhood growing up in The Rocket City before attending The University of North Alabama (UNA), where she earned her Bachelors of Science in Biology. Leisa returned to Huntsville after graduation working as an administrative assistant for Ferguson-Williams and Nichols Research. It is at Nichols Research where Leisa moved into the Security Department working on defense contracts between Nichols Research and the government's Defense Investigative Service (DIS) department. Her experience there led her to Hercules Defense Electronics Systems Incorporated Security Department in Clearwater, FL where she moved into a managerial role and received superior ratings multiple times from DIS during annual inspections - the highest rating a defense contracting company can receive. After 20+ years in Florida, Leisa was offered and accepted the position of Global Security Manager for Raytheon Company's Corporate Headquarters in Waltham, MA. There she was awarded the first superior rating the company had received from DIS during annual inspections and received that honor numerous times in the following years. Leisa continued to work for Raytheon until her retirement in 2020.

Leisa was a huge animal lover both of wild and domestic animals. She enjoyed feeding the birds and watching deer, wild turkeys, squirrels, and other animals that graced her yard. Leisa had a particular affection for dogs and was the parent to several who had special medical needs, requiring a quiet and loving home and lots of patience.

When it came to growing beautiful flowers, Leisa was a natural. She could make any house plant thrive and blossom. From potted plants to air plants, Leisa's house was filled with a variety of flora. It was not uncommon to also find fresh herbs growing on her kitchen windowsill.

Leisa was an avid reader and was known to finish a novel over a weekend. Her love for reading started at a young age with Nancy Drew mysteries, the Hardy Boys, and Alfred Hitchcock. As an adult, she continued to enjoy mysteries but also branched out into biographies, autobiographies, and DIY (Do It Yourself) books.

Leisa was a beloved daughter, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, niece, cousin, and friend. She is survived by her mother, Jane Gamble; sister, Kellie (Wally) Dennis; nephews, Will Dennis and Nathan Dennis; an aunt, and several cousins. She is preceded in death by her father: Richard (Dick) Dare, stepfather: Edgar (Ed) Gamble, and grandparents: Ed & Nannie Tolliver and Murphy & Polly Dare.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday June 7th at 2 pm at The Weeden House, 300 Gates Ave SE, Huntsville, Alabama. The family will receive friends at a reception immediately following the service.