Irene Leggett

Irene Leggett age 86, of Dover Avenue, Dover, died peacefully Saturday afternoon, December 23, 2006, in Union Hospital at Dover, just two days shy of her 87th birthday. Born on her family farm Christmas Day 1919, she was a daughter of the late Charles and Rachel Herbert Leatherman. Irene grew up in the Roswell-Midvale area, and graduated high school with the Midvale class of 1938.Irene and her late husband, Willard “Bill” Leggett married June 12, 1940 and observed their sixtieth wedding anniversary prior to his death in November, 2000. During their years together, Bill and Irene loved to travel, both on short trips and internationally. Sunday afternoon drives to discover “off the beaten path” vegetable stands and antique shops were regular occurrences. The couple also toured Europe, and even in their seventies Â? crisscrossed North America by car.Together, the couple owned and operated the former Sunoco Gas Station on East High Avenue at New Philadelphia. Irene later worked as a dietician in Union Hospital at Dover prior to her retirement. Irene’s real calling in life though, was to love and provide excellent care for her husband, daughters, and grandchildren. Her family was blessed by her desire to always be the caregiver for others. Talented in her kitchen, Irene was known to make the favorite dish of each of her grandchildren for family gatherings. Irene was a member of the Schoenbrunn Community Moravian Church. She leaves behind two daughters, Sandra Leggett Siano of Frenchtown, New Jersey, and Sherry (Tim) Rieger of New Philadelphia, five grandchildren; Troy Siano, Tadd Siano and Erik Siano, all of Frenchtown, New Jersey, and Ashley Rieger of Telluride, Colorado, and Andrew Rieger of Kent, Ohio. A brother, John F. Leatherman of Cadiz, and two sisters-in-law, Kathryn (Ted) Canfield of New Philadelphia and Dutch Stevenson of Dover, also survive. Several nieces and nephews, including her special niece and caregiver, Melody (Bob) Liberatore, of Dover, complete the family. In addition to her parents and husband, Irene was preceded in death by three brothers; Tom, George, and Earl Leatherman, and a sister, Erma Howard. Friends are invited to call Tuesday from 10AM to 11AM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Pastor Sue Koenig will lead the Leggett funeral Tuesday morning at 11 in the funeral home’s chapel. Burial will follow alongside her husband in Evergreen Burial Park. Following the committal service a reception for family and friends will be held in the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the funeral home. The family prefers that memorial contributions be made to either Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 West Third Street Dover, OH 44622, the Schoenbrunn Community Moravian Church, 2200 East High Avenue, New Philadelphia OH 44663, or to the American Diabetes Association, 1815 West Market St., Suite 108, Akron, Ohio 44313