Eila Riutta Leach, 83, of Warren died of cancer on April 22, 2011 at Windward Gardens in Camden.
She was born May 17, 1927 in Warren, the daughter of Antto and Hilma Riutta. Eila was a graduate of Union High School.
On June 28, 1947 she married Miles “Pete” Leach. The couple made their home in Warren where they operated a poultry farm. Later Pete became a land surveyor and Eila was his field assistant. Earlier in life Eila enjoyed active outdoor pursuits including skiing at the Snow Bowl, canoeing with Pete and friends down rivers throughout Maine including the Allagash, swimming at the cottage on North Pond, moose hunting in Newfoundland, climbing Mt. Katahdin and boating among the islands of Muscongus Bay. Pete and Eila enjoyed travelling throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. In 1994 they drove from Maine to Alaska in their van exploring remote areas of the Alaskan wilderness. Eila and her sister Elvi toured Finland visiting with relatives and discovering the childhood villages of their parents. Eila was active in a number of civic and social groups including Extension, PTA, and 4-H.
In later years Eila enjoyed combining both social and creative interests by doing needlework, crocheting, quilting and most recently rug hooking with the “Happy Hookers”. She was also an accomplished gardener and active in volunteer efforts with the Warren Library and the Finnish Heritage House. Throughout her life Eila was a passionate reader and instilled her love of reading in her children.
Eila was predeceased by her husband, Miles S. Leach. She is survived by her two sisters Elvi Hudson, Owls Head and Eini Johnson of Tucson, AZ; daughters Cynthia Kalloch (Donald) of Otis, ME; Patricia Leach (Gary Talcott) of Seattle, WA; Valerie Root (Bryan) of Apple Valley, MN; Sylvia Faulkner (Paul) of Deer Parks - Menan, ID, grandchildren Aaron Kalloch (Donna); Matthew Kalloch (Darnell); Alexander Roberts, Megan Roberts, Sam Root (Mindy); Brandon Root, Justin Root; as well as 8 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Friends and relatives are invited to an open house to remember Eila on Saturday, April 30 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at The Belmont Inn, 6 Belmont Avenue, Camden. Memorial gifts may be made to the American Cancer Society or Warren Free Public Library. The Hall Funeral Home, Waldoboro, has been entrusted with arrangements. A private burial will be in the family cemetery.