Abby Lynn Leach

In the late spring of 1960 Doug and Norma Hallowell welcomed their first of two children, a daughter, Abby Lynn Hallowell (Leach).
As a young free spirited little girl running the hay fields on the Camas prairie in Fairfield Idaho, she grew and learned the lessons of life along with a little brother, a large extended family and many precious friends.
Abby had a strong appreciation for the western heritage, living off the land, farming and gaining knowledge and wisdom from her father, Doug. She learned to nurture, love and care for everyone and all things, along with becoming a strong independent woman from her mother, Norma. The school of hard knocks some of which were pure and others known to be true were a result of the dirt bike rides with her little brother, Dirk. Abby enjoyed many trips, adventures and fun memories during her high school years.
As some say blessings are not seen in full bloom until after the moment. Abby had her eyes set on a blonde headed cowboy, Jack Leach. They married April 19, 1979, a year later a daughter was born. They welcomed to their family Bridgett Marie Leach (Lacey) in the fall on 1980.
Through the years the family made a home to many places from Kodiak Alaska, to Redding Calif.; however Idaho was known to be a favorite. In 1992, they established grass roots in Emmett, Idaho, where Abby made their house a home.
With Abby's affection for horses and Jack's rite of passage, Bridgett was inspired to become passionate and lived every moment on the back of a horse.
Abby spent many countless hours and numerous miles on the road driving a pickup and trailer, taking Bridgett to and from all the horse events, teaching her how to retain knowledge and wisdom from the equine industry. She may have only given birth to one child; however she acquired numerous children along the rodeo trail. Abby was known as the RODEO MOM. As the rodeo mom, you would expect to see her hugging on kids and supporting them by giving advice to all around her.
To all who knew and met Abby, you have recognized she was a diamond in the ruff. In 2009 she contracted a rare cancer and began the fight of her life, the epic battle. A word of remembrance Abby always told Bridgett, "If you enter a barrel race and don't go in the arena with the intentions of winning, you may as well just stay home." She lived her life this way.
Abby took her last ride home on the wings of an Angel on May 5, 2011.
She was survived by parents, Doug and Norma Hallowell; brother and sister-in-law, Dirk and Nancy Hallowell, nephew Drew Hallowell; daughter and son-in-law, Bridgett and James Lacey; and ex-husband, Jack Leach.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 11, 2011, at the Potter Funeral Chapel in Emmett.