Marilyn Leach
Leach
Marilyn Leach, 71 of Waterford, Ohio, passed away at home on Tuesday, December 23, 2025 surrounded by the love of her family. She was born October 16, 1954 to Ralph and Fern Loene McMannis Kelby. She graduated from Waterford High School class of 1972. Marilyn married the love of her life, Thomas Leach, on June 3, 1972 and they spent 54 wonderful years together. She was a homemaker and raised her two children, Kevin Leach and Cindy Leach Rogers. Marilyn was an active and loving grandmother.
Marilyn was a member of Order of Eastern Star Mount Moriah Chapter 506 and a member of the Salem United Methodist Church. She was also a Life Member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 389 in Beverly, OH. Besides her family, her passion was the American Legion Auxiliary, supporting numerous veterans’ programs. She also could be seen in local schools with the RIFF program, Veterans Day assemblies and many scholarship presentations. Marilyn held many offices at the local, district, and state levels with the American Legion Auxiliary. In 2003, Marilyn was awarded the Department of Ohio’s Member of the Year. She was Unit 389 dinner chairman for many, many long years organizing, cooking, and serving everything from breakfast and weddings, to the Beverly Homecoming. Marilyn traveled with her husband Tom to numerous state and national conventions. She was an avid gardener, many times starting her own plants from seeds. Marilyn prided herself with always having a tomato before the 4th of July, and enjoyed sharing her garden’s bounty with everyone.
Marilyn is survived by her husband Tom and son Kevin (Jodi) Leach and daughter Cindy (Stephen) Rogers; her mother, Fern Loene Kelby, brother Bob (Bonnie) Kelby, sister-in-law Patricia Bradley, sister-in-law Martha Leach, brother-in-law George Ankrom; grandchildren Joey (Bethany) Rogers, Aaron (Bri) Rogers, Taylor (Abby) Rogers, Tim (Maggie) Leach, Elizabeth (Brent) Ginther, Alexandria (Thomas) Goddard; nine great grandchildren; Skyla, Freya, and Myah Rogers; Raiden and Ronin Rogers; Tayleigh, Camreigh, Paisleigh Rogers; Everetta Ginther, as well as many nieces, nephews and legion family friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, Ralph Kelby, mother-in-law and father-in-law Francis and Rodney Leach, brother Marlin (Doe) Kelby, sister and brother-in-law Betty and Steve Cotton, sister-in-law Ruth Ankrom, brother-in-law Dick Bradley, brother-in-law Howard Leach, brother-in-law Paul Leach, nephew Robert (Andy) Kelby, and niece Elizabeth Bradley.
The family would like to thank Dr. Cawley and Marsha McCullough, NP, the nursing staff at the Belpre Cancer Center and Cawley Hospice staff. A special thanks to Maggie Whitcher and Susan Wainwright for their compassionate care.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, December 29, 2025 at Fifth Street Church of Christ, Beverly, OH, with Steve Wainwright officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Sunday, December 28, 2025 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM, and again on Monday from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Burial will be in Waterford Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Auxiliary Unit 389. McCurdy Funeral Home in Beverly is in charge of the arrangements and online condolences may be made by visiting www.mccurdyfh.com.