Lorene Leach

Esther Lorene Leach, known by friends and family as Lorene, passed away at the Gables of Shelley Assisted Living in Shelley, Idaho on September 12, 2018. She was under the care of Hands of Hope Home Health and Hospice. She passed away peacefully with loved ones by her side.

Lorene was born May 14, 1924, to Bertha Williams Hughes and Fred Hughes in Springfield, Missouri. She was raised in Willard, Missouri, where she graduated from Willard High School.

Lorene moved to California where she was a long-time employee at Standard Oil and Western Union, two positions she dearly loved. That’s where she met the love of her life, John Anderson Leach. The two were married on November 8, 1946, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Together they raised two beautiful daughters while traveling across the United States for John’s work. After the girls were grown, John and Lorene had the opportunity to travel around the world and enjoyed numerous adventures together. When John retired, they returned to Willard, Missouri, where Lorene resided until moving back to Idaho in summer 2018.

Lorene is survived by her two daughters Pamela Jo Taylor of Shelley, Idaho and Paula O’Day of Springfield, Missouri; her granddaughters Stephanie Taylor-Silva (Carlos Silva) of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Shauna Jenks of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and Adrienne Kelley of Carmel, Indiana; her nephew Stephen LeMay (Genevieve Layumas) of Attleboro, Massachusetts; her cousin Sharon Williams Kriner of Springfield, Missouri; and five great-grandchildren.

Lorene is preceded in death by her beloved husband John A. Leach; mother, Bertha Williams Hughes; father, Fred Hughes; brothers, Frank Hughes and Emmer Lloyd Hughes; sisters, Helen Jo LeMay and Mildred Nix; and granddaughter, Samantha Rue Taylor.

Lorene was loved by everyone that met her. She loved golf, gardening, cooking, bridge, animals and most of all, her family. She had an infectious smile and laugh. She made everyone feel loved that she met. A true caregiver at heart, she took care of everyone in her presence, including animals. Lorene also belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star. She was a firm believer of our Lord and Savior and followed him religiously in her day to day activities. She had a servant’s heart and made lasting impacts on those fortunate enough to know her. Lorene was a true gift and she will be dearly missed by all those that love her.

The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Rajamanikkam Anandarajah, M.D.; Heather Winberg, The Gables of Shelley Assisted Living; Kathy Huntsman, Hands of Hope Home Health and Hospice; Alan Harrison; Brett Zundel; Mackie, David and Larry Lindsey; Joe and Reva Suttles; Megan Bodrero; Curtis Smith, Heather and Kevin Kempf; Tammy Carter; Katie Thieman; and Collette and John Halley, for their diligence in providing phenomenal assistance to Lorene and her family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the following organizations in memory and honor of Esther Lorene Leach: The Snake River Animal Shelter, The Wounded Warrior Project, the Center for Hope or Suicide Prevention Action Network of Idaho (SPAN).

Memorial services will be held at a later date in Willard, Missouri. Burial will be in the Wesley Cemetery in Willard, Missouri.

Memorial Services at a Later Date in Willard, Missouri. She passed away on