Ethel Richards Leach

Ethel Richards Leach, of State College, Pa., died July 4 in Clarks Summit, Pa. She was born in Greenville, Maine on Oct. 21, 1933, to John P. and Jean M. Richards, both of whom preceded her in death, along with Roland M. Leach; siblings, Gilbert A. Richards, Mary P. Cook, Muriel I. Smith, Gordon L. Richards, John P. Richards Jr.; cousins, Nancy Elsemore, Jerry Richards; and long-time companion, Bob Witmer.

She is survived by Jimmy (Ruth) Richards; sons, Guy (Jenni), of Clarks Summit, Pa.; Gary (Christine), of Alhambra, Calif.; Raymond (Juliet), of Virginia Beach, Va.; grandchildren, Hannah (Matthew), Jack (Courtney), Rachel (Steven), Ava, Maggie, Wyatt, Preston, Abby, Elly; and great-grandchildren, Charlie, Hunter, Olivia, Natalie and Emerson, all of whom brought her heart joy.

Growing up in Greenville Junction, Ethel spent much of her youth at her family's hotel, general store and sporting camps in Kokadjo, Maine. She was a member of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, and graduated in 1951 from Greenville High School, where she played basketball, French horn in band, and took to the stage in theater.

Ethel attended The University of Maine where she met her husband, Roland M. Leach. They married on Dec. 28, 1954. In 1956, she earned a BS in education from Purdue University, a teaching certification from Cornell University, and pursued post-graduate studies at Penn State University. After college, Ethel taught second grade at Newfield Elementary School in Ithaca, N.Y. An early adopter and champion of the importance of play in early child development and education, she went on to open and operate play schools for preschool children, first in Brooktondale, N.Y. (1964-1968) and then in Millheim, Pa. (1974 -1982). After raising her family, she worked as a library and teacher's aide and served as secretary to the athletic director of State College High School.

An active member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, State College, Ethel shared her faith in action as she brought comfort and joy to patients and their families as a registered clown volunteer with Centre Community Hospital, delivered Meals on Wheels, and served the commonwealth as a local election worker from 1985 to 2015.

In addition to her accomplishments, Ethel will be remembered by all who knew her for having a sweet and caring nature. She led by quiet example: be nice and polite to all, be selfless in service to family and community, and never turn down ice cream when offered.

Plans for a celebration of life to be held in Maine are forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in Ethel's memory to Northern Light CA Dean Hospital, Attn: Foundation, P.O. Box 601, Greenville, ME 04441 or www.northernlighthealth.org/giveCADean.