Leah Adelaide Ostrander

Leah Adelaide Ostrander (nee Thornton) was born on January 24, 1943 in Vancouver, Washington. She was the oldest of five children born to Johnny William Thornton and Florence Juanita (nee Simmons) Thornton. Her favorite memories from childhood included reading and being met at the school bus stop by her pet pig, Oscar.

Leah lived in and attended public school in Ridgefield, Washington. After high school, Leah attended Washington State University, where she met George Ostrander, the love of her life. When she spoke of the ocean on their first date, George knew she was The One. Their marriage lasted more than 50 years.

Newly graduated, Leah moved to Port Townsend to teach girls who were considered juvenile delinquents. According to Leah, teaching sewing to girls in the age of the miniskirt was quite a challenge! In 1967, George and Leah eloped and moved Australia for a 2-year "working holiday." George helped build a railroad while Leah waitressed and taught.

To return home, they took a berth in the workers' quarters of a freighter going through the Panama Canal. They arrived in Fort Lauderdale in June, 1969, with a $250 check from the Washington Teacher's Credit Union. Leah waitressed at Latta's, George drove a beer delivery truck, and they moved into a trailer park so they could stay.

They soon had a daughter, Michelle, and they each became small business owners. George owned GLO Realty, Leah owned Peter's Road Child Care Center, and the two worked together to invest in rental properties. After retiring the first time, Leah worked at the children's center for a women's shelter. After retiring for a second time, Leah became a board member of the Fort Lauderdale Orchid Society, where she enjoyed participating in rambles and organizing the annual shows.

George and Leah exchanged homes and traveled frequently throughout the U.S., the UK, Canada, Europe, South Africa and beyond. They danced to a live band on the QEII, went on a safari, rafted down rivers, toured castles, rode bicycles, flew in helicopters, attended numerous theatrical productions, and enjoyed their journey through life side by side. Leah's favorite thing in life was to be George's partner in adventure. Being a mother and grandmother were her next greatest joys -- and she excelled at them all.

Leah loved coffee, orchids, Christmas, and traveling. She played a mean game of Scrabble and was surprisingly competitive at Rummikub. She loved warm sunny days, bold tropical colors, flowers, flamingos, and herons. She walked five miles a day and treasured the people she met along the way. With her smile and optimism, she made every encounter joyful, so that nobody walked away a stranger.

After George passed away, Leah embraced her life at John Knox Village in Pompano Beach with daily walks, game nights, and outings. She loved her life and said it had all turned out so much better than she ever imagined it would be.

Leah leaves behind a heartbroken daughter, Michelle, son-in-law, Whitney, and three grandchildren, Jamie, Quinn, and Lela of Sebastopol, California, as well as her sister, Margaret, brothers, Gary and John, and numerous in-laws, nephews, nieces, and cousins. Private family services will be held later this year. To honor her memory, please walk in nature and be the joy that you hope to see in the world.