Martha Vera Lea "Leah" Emhoff

Martha Vera Lea "Leah" EMHOFF Born in Roadhouse, Illinois on November 5, 1923, passed from this life on April 24, 2011. Martha, whom most knew as Leah, was the third of four children born to John Henry and Emily Mae Monroe. After graduating from high school she traveled west to California and then to Washington where she eventually settled. While working for Weyerhaeuser she met Charles Shay. Upon their marriage in 1947, Leah became "Mother" to his two young sons, Michael and Patrick. In 1952 Chuck and Leah took in nine year old Mary Johnson and raised her as their own. Leah became a single parent in 1961 when Chuck died of a tragic logging accident. Leah found love again in Cecil Emhoff. They were married September 14, 1963. Leah and Cecil would eventually both work for and retire from the Washington State Liquor Board. During their years together Cec and Leah hosted many gatherings at their home in Redmond from holiday dinners to summer parties of eighty or more guests. They also loved to garden and to travel. Besides their trips all across America, they visited several countries including Australia, New Zealand, China, and Mexico and always with a big group of friends. Leah was a remarkable lady. Among the qualities she will be remembered for are her never ceasing energy, her wonderful candor, amazing hospitality, being a fantastic cook, her generosity, and her willingness to serve wherever she was needed. She leaves behind Cecil, her husband of 47 years, her son Patrick and daughter Mary, her brother Raymond and sister Henrietta, a wealth of nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as a host of friends whom she considered family. Services will be held on April 28, 11:00 am at the Redmond Presbyterian Church in Redmond, WA.