Joyce Arlene (Stubbe) Leech

Joyce Arlene Stubbe Leech, 84, of Meadville, died Sunday, November 2, 2014 at home surrounded by her family.

She was born 27 July 1930 at home in Lake City, Erie County, Pennsylvania to Albert and Sarah (Rose) Stubbe, the youngest of their 10 children. She lived with her family in Lake City until 1946, when her parents bought a dairy farm and constructed a farmhouse in Harmonsburg, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Conneautville High School in 1948 and Meadville City Hospital School of Nursing in 1951.

She married Daniel Joseph Leech of Meadville in 1966, who survives her, along with five children: Nanci Hamilton of Portland, OR; Judy Hamilton (Mark) Fairlamb of Meadville, PA; William Porter Hamilton of Lebanon, NJ; Stacy Hamilton (Bryan) Sheedy of Indianapolis, IN; and Maureen Leech of Kirtland Hills, OH; five stepchildren: Daniel T. Leech of Meadville, PA; Diana Leech Martin; Debra Christine Leech; David P. Leech and J. Mark Leech; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her brother Earl Clinton Stubbe, of Waterford, PA. Eight siblings predeceased her: Ruth Stubbe Phelps, Laura Stubbe Ohmer; Verna Stubbe Irwin; and Myron, Paul, Leon, Gerald and Dorothy Stubbe.

Joyce was a devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, and good friend. She always placed family, especially her husband and children, before any other interests. She took great pride in the accomplishments of her children and was their loving and steadfast supporter. She was a homemaker, and made her home a welcome place. Joyce for many years planned and hosted gatherings for family and friends, including reunions of the Stubbe and Rose families and her nursing school classmates. She made excellent potato salad, pies (especially elderberry, pumpkin and rhubarb), and other family culinary favorites which no one will ever quite make as well, though she taught her daughters well. She and her husband Dan traveled extensively and have a wide circle of friends in the area and abroad.  She was skilled at needlework and produced numerous heirloom afghans and needlework pieces which will forever be treasured by her family.  She was an avid bridge player and an affectionate and indulgent cat lover and owner. Joyce was a vibrant, lively woman who enriched the lives of those who knew her and she will be greatly missed.

Calling hours will be Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut Street, Meadville.

The funeral service will be Friday at 12 p.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Bill Cox, Pastor of McLane Baptist Church, Edinboro, officiating.

The family suggests memorials be made to the Crawford County Humane Society, 11012 Kennedy Hill Road, Meadville, PA 16335.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.waidfuneralhome.net