Betty Ruth Leitch

Betty Ruth (Lease) Leitch, a beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully on July 29, 2025, at the age of 92. Born February 10, 1933, the third child of George and Bessie Lease, Betty was born and raised in Yakima, Washington.
On April 11, 1953, she married a young Navy man, the love of her life William (Bill) Leitch at St. Paul's Cathedral in Yakima. Being in the Navy, Betty and Bill were stationed in California and Florida but Washington was always their home. They both fell in love with Oak Harbor, Washington and that is where they bought a home and raised their four children. Betty's focus was always her family and her faith.
Early interests were living off their 5-acre home where they raised many different animals, gardened, canned their harvests, and spun the wool from their sheep. 4-H was a big part of their lives as all the children were in clubs, a few of which Betty was the leader as well as being the Island County Fair Manager for many years in the 70's. As the children grew older, she took a few jobs outside the home, but her focus was always her family. Many joy filled years were spent living on and maintaining their 'HaHa Farm' during her and Bill's 62 years together.
In her later years she was a very involved member of the OH Emblem Club. Throughout the years she served as Chaplain, Vice President and President at the club level and a Trustee and Chaplain at the State level. She spent many hours serving her community which she was very passionate about.
Betty was a lifelong member of St. Augustine Catholic Church where she was very involved in the St. Maria's Guild. She loved to knit and crochet and spent many hours with friends at the church sharing stories and needle working. Betty loved sharing her faith and had many friends she met with weekly to share fellowship.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, George and Bessie Lease; sister Blanche Allenbaugh; brother Robert Lease; husband William (Bill) Leitch; twin sons William and Alan Leitch; son Anthony (Tony) Leitch and his wife Carol (Berner) Leitch.
Betty's surviving children are Belinda (Robert) Mower of Liberty Lake, WA; Lauri (Stephen) Brown, of Issaquah WA; and Mary McGee, of Auburn, WA.
Surviving grandchildren are Charity (Mike) Turpen, Jason (Shanna) Mower, Sara Mower, Kristi (Jason) Deehan, Stacey (Kristian) Miller, Andrew Leitch, Travis, Shannon, and Lucas Brown, Hannah (David) Nye and Hayley McGee. Great grandchildren are Lexie (Tyler) Elwell, and Zoey Turpen; Ava, Charlie, and Samuel Miller; Madison Mower; and Conor, Sinead, Carter and Beatrice Deehan.
Visitation and rosary will be on Thursday, August 21 at Wallin Stucky Funeral Home, Oak Harbor, WA from 6:00pm - 8:00pm. Rosary from 6:30pm - 7:00pm
Her life will be celebrated on Friday, August 22 at 10am St. Augustine Catholic Church in Oak Harbor, WA. Betty will be buried beside Bill at Maple Leaf Cemetery after mass with a reception immediately following at the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge.