In Memory
Sally Ruth (Stanley) Leath of Westfield, IN passed away on March 1, 2025. She is survived by her children, Matthew Alan Leath of Fishers, IN and Emily Anne Leath O’Dell of Carmel, IN, her loving companion David Joachim Sr., and their beloved Weimaraner Graycie, and sister Chris Brown Pezzella of Long Neck, DE. Her greatest loves, her grandchildren Abigail Grace Leath, Nicholas William Leath, Elliot Claire O’Dell, and Henry Alexander O’Dell will miss their Nana dearly.
Sally was the daughter of the late Eugene Daniel Stanley and Shirley Ruth Anderson Stanley Hansen. Born in Oconomowoc, WI in 1950, Sally grew up in the South Bend, IN area where she attended Muessel Junior High and South Bend Central. She graduated from Farmington Hills High School in Farmington, MI and attended Michigan State University. Her freshman summer term roommate Beth Doherty remains her best friend and Quilt Camp mate today.
Sally and Roy Howard Leath were married in 1971 and together raised Matt and Emily in Granger, IN. Sally was a devoted homemaker and mom, sharing many creative talents by organizing neighborhood park crafts and making Christmas ornaments for friends. As a family we enjoyed simple vacations, most memorably flying to Walt Disney World and many summers in Pentwater, MI. In 1983 she began working at the United States Postal Service in South Bend, IN. Throughout her USPS career she led teams and functions and found life-long friends. She relocated to Carmel, IN in 1989 and built many lasting connections through church, work and Matt’s and Emily’s sports and friends. At times she worked long hours but her kids came first - she never missed a game or special occasion.
Finally prioritizing her own ambitions in 2003, Sally completed her undergraduate degree at Indiana Wesleyan and took USPS assignments in Chicago, Cincinnati, and eventually Washington DC. There she forged a special bond with “the traveling pants” and thoroughly enjoyed new foods, museums, events, and hosting family visits. She also completed her Masters Degree at Loyola Marymount. Sally retired and returned to Westfield, IN in 2009.
Sally was worried about being idle in retirement but she quickly filled her days with sewing, friends, grandchildren, and volunteering. In May 2010, Dave Joachim recognized her through mutual friends on Facebook asking “weren’t we on Hoosier Favorite together?” Dave sent her a picture of them dancing on the local TV show on his birthday in 7th grade. And they have been dancing together through the last 15 years - supporting each other through deaths, births, graduations, reconnections, and enjoying being home with their Weimaraner, Grayce Kelly. In the last few years “Mr. Dave and Nana” enjoyed camping throughout Indiana State Parks and at the best beach in the whole world, Pentwater, MI.
Sally was private about herself but was the keeper of our hopes and worries. She was our sounding board and supporter always, even when we mocked and teased her many quirks. If she didn’t know how to fix something for us, she lighted our load. Sally was quietly generous in supporting causes and events that were important to those she loved. Nana made all of the best side dishes and casseroles for every family holiday meal. She researched and asked questions about our jobs and interests. She rarely missed a band concert, soccer, football, lacrosse, basketball or volleyball game for Abigail, Nicholas, Ellie and Henry. If they had a fundraiser, she bought something. If she thought they needed spending money or something for an apartment or a little extra with their Christmas ornaments, Nana delivered. Sally’s Random Acts of Kindness were numerous but her signature was gifting one of her beautiful handmade quilts – for graduations, babies, Quilts of Valor, supporting friends through an illness, and new homes.
03/03/2025 JFC
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