Obituary: Coleman, Leah Marie
Age 81
COLEMAN,
Leah Marie
(Age 81)
Who resided in Spokane Valley for fifty years, passed away quietly at home June 18, 2012.
She was born December 23, 1930 in Kennewick, Washington to her parents Howard and Lyla Hembree.
She was the oldest of ten children.
May 7, 1950 she was married to William E. Coleman in Yakima, Washington.
They have been married for 62 years.
She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Gonzaga University and her Master of Psychology from Eastern Washington State University.
She worked to put herself through school at the West Valley High School cafeteria.
She later used her education in the area of family counseling and Christian Education Director.
Leah spent many hours serving as a volunteer in the community.
She was a Girl Scout leader for almost 25 years.
She also served at Opportunity Christian Church as an Elder, as well as functioning as a teacher and leader in the youth programs.
Dance roller skating was an important activity in her life.
It was through roller skating that she met her husband Bill.
They performed in competitions, shows, and were involved in club activities together.
Later in life this skill led her to a small role in the movie “Heaven’s Gate”.
She also enjoyed charcoal drawing and writing short stories.
Leah is survived by her husband William Coleman of Spokane Valley, Washington; her three daughters and their spouses, Karen and Greg Oldham of Kenosha, Wisconsin, Diane and Larry Liljestrand of Spokane Valley, Washington, and Julie and Todd Witham of Spokane Valley, Washington; her ten grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Her siblings Eula Nichols, Chloe Hembree, Louis Hembree, Jackie Adkins, Karen Bancroft, and Deborah Hembree also survive her.
She is predeceased by her mother and father, Lyla and Howard Hembree and her siblings, Roberta Boggs, Neil Hembree, and Frank Hembree.
Services will be held Saturday, June 23, 2012 at 2:00 PM at Opportunity Christian Church, 708 N. Pines Rd.
Reverend Linda Elder will lead.