Mary Elizabeth (Mcgrath) Leech

On August 18, 2016, Mary Elizabeth Leech (nee McGrath) beloved wife of the late Edward Barron Leech Sr. devoted mother of Edward B. Leech, Jr (Barry) and wife Karen, Carol Ann Milani and the late Paul F. Milani, Mary Pat Rizzo and husband Ken, and Nancy Hartka and husband Ted.

Loving grandmother of Stephanie Leech Kohlhepp, Colin Leech, Robert Milani, Matthew Milani, Gregory Rizzo, Andrea Rizzo Baynar, T.J. Hartka, Eric, Hartka, and Kevin Hartka. Great Grandmother of Elizabeth Claire, Mary Samantha, Paul Avery, Nora Elizabeth, Gabriel Joseph, Maire Kathleen, Tristan Edward, Connor Stephen and Wyatt Andrew.

Whether you knew her as Lib, or Bess, Libby or Bullets, Mom, Grandmother, Grand M or Great Mother, you were privileged to know a strong woman.

Lib was born November 19, 1925 at her parents’ home on North Hilton Street in West Baltimore. She was the youngest child of Pearl C.  and William E. McGrath. She was predeceased in death by her sister, Catherine C. Roach and brother William E. McGrath, MD.  She was a graduate of St. Bernadine Grade School and Seton High School. She entered St Agnes Hospital School of Nursing in 1943 where she met her lifelong friends, Marie Benavent and Mickey Wells. Their friendship spanned 70 years and continued to flourished when they all moved to the Charlestown Community. She graduated from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in 1946 and worked as a Registered Nurse until her marriage in April 1947.

She married Ed Leech, April 7, 1947 and they were married for 52 years until Ed passed away in 1999. Lib and Ed moved to Catonsville in 1961 and raised 4 children.  She was an active member of St. Mark Catholic Church.  Lib worked part time for several physicians, including her brother-in-law, Dr. Thomas E. Roach and Dr. Rolendo Sabundayo.

In 1998, Lib and Ed moved to the Charlestown Retirement Community in Catonsville and quickly became active members of the community. Lib enjoyed swimming at the indoor pool and working the linen table at the Treasure Sales. She cherished spending time with her family and friends and rarely turned down a dinner invitation from her children.

Lib enjoyed playing cards including bridge and rummy and was a member of several card clubs. She also made an occasional guest appearance in her children’s friendly poker games.  In later years she enjoyed traveling with friends and was thrilled to reconnect with Irish relatives on both of her trips to Ireland. Although her eyesight was rapidly deteriorating, she remained an active member of the Charlestown Treasure Sale Volunteers and Friday Happy Hour group.

Lib’s only limitation was her blindness, caused by extremely advanced Macular Degeneration. She participated in several clinical trials in an effort to help improve her own blindness and possibly find a cure for future generations afflicted with this debilitating disease.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to: Macular Degeneration Research, The Wilmer Eye Clinic