Jean Marie Leach

Jean Marie Leach passed away peacefully, after a courageous battle with illness. She was the cherished daughter of the late John L. Leach, Jr. and Julia (Martin) Leach, and beloved sister to the late John Leach of Natick, MA, and Jaqueline Purvis of Jacksonville, FL.

Jean’s legacy is one of love, creativity, and selfless generosity. She leaves behind her devoted soul mate and once-in-a-lifetime love, Joseph Ganley of Natick, MA. Though Jean had no children of her own, she was a loving mother in every way to Kelly (Daniel) DeLiberato of Natick, MA, Sally Ganley of San Diego, CA, and Danny (Dete) Ganley of Framingham, MA. She especially loved her treasured grandchildren, Aiden Deliberato, whom she took care of as an infant, attended countless hockey games in cold ice rinks to watch him play, and continued to adore and spoil him with abandonment, and grandchildren Manuella (Ramon), Gabriel, and Renato, who joyfully extended her family circle. And finally, Jean loved her two great grandchildren, Nathan and Noah, who brought such light and energy into her world.

Jean adored all of her pets throughout her life, but her two Golden Retrievers, first Jake who left her all too soon, and then Murphy who brought years of joy and laughter to her and Joe, were her furry treasures. We know they were there to greet her at the gates, tails wagging.

Jean approached life as a work of art: she was an extraordinary cook and baker sharing her treasured recipes with others, loved to craft, and took immense pride and joy in making handmade Christmas gifts and ornaments, always beautifully wrapped with care and creativity. Her spirit of inventiveness, playfully earning her the nickname “the female MacGyver,” was legendary—there was nothing she couldn’t fix, often with a little duct tape and a lot of determination.

Despite the limitations of her body, Jean discovered the joys of cruising, sharing laughter and adventure on the open seas with her dear friend Kathy Boothby of Maine and her daughter, Sally.

Jean’s courage, resilience, and will to live inspired all who knew her. Despite months hospitalized and in rehabilitation, she faced each day with hope and optimism. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to all the staff at Metrowest Medical Center who cared for her with such compassion, especially nurse Brenda, who brought not only skill but kindness and the promise of future crafts.

Jean’s vibrant spirit, kindness, and enduring love will be missed by all who had the honor to know and love her.

Funeral Mass in St. Linus Church, 119 Hartford Street, Natick will be on Tuesday, August 19th at 10:00am. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend.  Interment St. Patrick Cemetery, Natick.  Visiting Hours on Monday August 18th from 5:00-7:00pm in the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street, NATICK COMMON. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to support the Kidney Transplant Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, whose compassionate care and dedication gave Jean hope and support on her journey. Memorial gifts can be made online at www.bwhgiving.org or checks can be made payable to Brigham and Women's Hospital with “in memory of Jean Leach” in the memo line and sent to: Brigham and Women's Hospital, Development Office, 263 Huntington Ave #318, Boston, MA 02115.  For directions and guest book please visit www.everettfuneral.com

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