Published in the June 21, 2019 edition.
WAKEFIELD — Greta Louise Jordan Leach, 95, passed away peacefully on June 12, 2019.
But don’t think of an old lady. Think of her playing “The Nice Old Lady” in a two-act play to amuse children, one of her dozens of theater productions.
Think of her waltzing around the Mount Washington Hotel when she was given a feather boa for her 80th birthday.
Think of her discreetly picking a fly out of a salad before realizing it was a plastic and she was being pranked – and laughing until she cried.
She taught us to “paddle our own canoe” and “cheat cheat never beat” and how to turn our faces to the sun and soak it in.
At every stage of her life, she felt like she was right where she was supposed to be. Raised in a convent. Ditching school to see Frank Sinatra. Lighting up the stage in summer stock theater. Marrying her high school crush who returned from the war. Raising five kids. Teaching thousands of 8th grade girls and boys how to sew. Working her garden. Going on mystery rides.
As her mind faded, the most important parts stayed true: her sense of wonder, her ability to see inner character, her flair to tell a story, her graciousness and gratitude.
She leaves three daughters Roxanne Leach, Gretta Jordan, Kristin Leach; her granddaughter Megan (Sayce) Boyaval and spouse Robert Boyaval III; and her great-granddaughter Ruby Boyaval. She is predeceased by her husband of 64 years William Leach and her two sons Dana William Leach and Dirk Jordan Leach. She is survived by her 101-year old brother Robert Jordan of Pennsylvania. She lived and taught in Wakefield most of her life, teaching generations of students how to sew and cook.
At a later date, there will be a private service for immediate family in Williamstown, Mass. where she was born.
