L. Mary Leach passed away on October 31, 2024 at the Olds Hospital Long Term care. She was born in Drumheller, Alberta on February 6, 1930, and raised on her family’s farm north of Hesketh. Her parents, John and Neva Redgwell, raised four children, of which Mary was the second born. Her early education saw her walking a mile to the Beverage Lake school house for grades one to nine. She completed high school in Drumheller, staying at a dormitory during the week, and coming home on the weekends. After graduation, she enrolled in the Calgary General Hospital School of Nursing, and completed training as a registered nurse. She was given an award for surgical technique by the alumni association upon graduation from the program.
From April to November of 1952 Mary worked as an RN in Three Hills, Alberta.
She married Donal Leach, of Olds, in December 1952. They were married for 54 years until Don passed away in 2006. During her married life, she worked alongside her husband on the Leach family farm, east of Olds. They welcomed a daughter, Evelyn, and son Howard and raised them both on the farm. While no longer working formally as a nurse, the compassion and empathy that led her on that career path, influenced all she did as a wife, mother, farmer, and community member. As a nurse on a family farm, she was able to practice her skills by regularly patching up scrapes, bumps, bruises, and some more serious cattle inflicted injuries. No one argued with her when she told them they needed to go to the hospital.
Mary was a gifted artist, specializing in oil paint, and her paintings hang in the houses of all her family members. She loved to knit and crochet and many of her lovely afghans grace her families couches. In the early years she was an accomplished seamstress making clothes for herself and her daughter.
In her initial years on the farm, she was part of the farming crew, driving truck, chopping silage, and doing everything that was needed. When there were enough people to run equipment in later years, she was instrumental in keeping the crew fed with delicious home made (and home grown!) food, and baking. Her freezer always had an emergency store of oatmeal raisin cookies in case someone stopped by for a visit. During long sessions working cattle, Mary would bring out coffee, or hot chocolate, and muffins, somehow always knowing the perfect time to make the crew take a break.
Her house was always full of sunshine and warmth, with her door welcoming friends and family alike. She lived on a true family farm, with her son and his family, and her mother in law residing in houses in the same yard. Whenever her daughter and her family visited, Mary glowed with happiness. Everyone would gather in her house, where she would effortlessly cook for all – and include everyone’s favorite dish. Most notably, she let her grandchildren sit beside Grandpa, so they wouldn’t have to eat the brussel sprouts or yams.
She was a member of the United Church Women, and when she was able, attended the Olds United Church regularly, where she made many lifelong friends.
Mary and Don enjoyed travelling, and journeyed to the Yukon and Alaska, and made road trips to Arizona. Most summers they camped in either Banff or Jasper National Park every July, enjoying the scenery.
After Don passed, Mary moved to Olds and lived in a condo where she enjoyed retirement by attending line dancing at the Evergreen Centre, listening to live music events, and enjoying time with her family and friends.
Mary was predeceased by her husband Donal Leach; brothers, David, Robert, and Wilson Redgwell; sister in law Joyce Redgwell; and daughter in law Mary E. Leach. She leaves to mourn her passing, daughter Evelyn (Doug) Jensen, and their daughters Lindsay (Brian) Giesbrecht, and Katie (Bryan) Cowie; Howard Leach and his son Jason, and daughter Sarah (Erik) Neumeyer; and sisters in law Cheryl Redgwell and Shirley Redgwell. She will be missed by her five great grandsons, Ryle, Blaise, Owen, Blake, and Thomas.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff who cared for Mary during her stay in Long term care and supported living. To the nurses who became her friends and cared so deeply for her, thank you for seeing her as her family did, and caring for her as a colleague, with the uttermost dignity and respect.

A donation to STARS or the Canadian Cancer Society, two of the charities Mary supported every year, would be deeply appreciated.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., 5226 – 46 Street, Olds, Alberta. Phone: 403-507-8610.

• Date : 2024-11-06
• Location : (Olds) LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED (Red Deer/Blackfalds/Eckville) www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & (Innisfail/Olds/Didsbury/Sundre) www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com