Leah McCleary

PORTSMOUTH, NH -- Leah Lorraine (Cormier) McCleary, 103, passed away on May 21, 2012, after a short stay at Portsmouth Regional Hospital following a sudden illness.

Leah, one of nine siblings, was born on April 26, 1912 in New Brunswick, Canada, and moved with her parents to Rumford when she was five years old. There, she eventually met and married her late husband, Henry A. McCleary, and had two sons, Richard and Henry.

In 2005, Leah moved from Rumford to Portsmouth, NH, to be closer to her sons and their families. As she had always done in Rumford, Leah continued to assert her independent spirit while living in Portsmouth in her own apartment. With her generosity of spirit, Leah continued to be a light and an anchor to her family and friends until the time of her passing, which she also greeted with dignity and joy. Having fully lived and experienced firsthand the many awesome as well as a few saddening events of the last century, Leah has left her own legacy through devoted family.

Leah leaves behind her son, Richard J. McCleary, and his wife, Vera. She was predeceased by her son, Henry A. McCleary, but has continued her close and loving relationship with Henry's wife, Cecile. Leah also leaves behind 10 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by eight siblings.