Janet Leach

Funeral services for Janet Callegari Leach, age 93, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 24th, 2015 at St. Mary's Assumption Catholic Church, Cottonport, Louisiana, with Rev. Msgr. Earl V. Provenza officiating assisted by Fr. Jose Robles Sanchez and Fr. Floyd Calais. Visitation will be Monday, Nov. 23rd from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Escude funeral home in Cottonport and visitation will continue on Nov. 24th from 9:00 a.m. until time of service at the church.
Janet entered eternal rest gracefully and peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 21st, 2015. She was born on October 29th, 1922, in Cottonport, La. as one of four children to Arthur Jerome Callegari and Carrie Robert Callegari. She was also lovingly known as "Jani" by her family and close friends.
Her husband, Russell Richard (R.R.) Leach Sr. and her three siblings, Bascom "Seeny" Callegari, Myra Nelson and Dayma Hollis, preceded her in death.
Janet was raised in Cottonport and graduated from Cottonport High School. World War 2 changed her life when she was nineteen. She was hired and worked as a civilian employee of the U. S. Army at Camp Claiborne near Forest Hill La. There she met her future husband and love of her life, Russell. After the war, they married, settled and raised their family in Cottonport. Janet was a devoted wife, mother and home-maker. She and Russell had four children. Russell Richard (Ricky) Leach Jr. (Virginia) of Bismark, AR., Craig Leach (Janice) of DeRidder, LA., Janet Elizabeth (Liz) Leach of Lafayette, LA. and Lee Leach (Peggy) of Tioga, LA. They instilled the attributes of honesty, integrity and charity to those less fortunate in their children from a young age.
Janet's greatest joy were her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. The most favorite times in her life were when all of her family were able to gather for whatever occasion. She made everyone feel at home and had a special place in her heart for her daughters-in-law, treating them no differently than her own daughter. She never complained and was always ready to lend a helping hand to whoever needed it. Her kind and loving spirit was felt by many people over the years. She will be sadly missed but we all know that we will see her again.
Brothers Ricky, Craig, Lee, and their wives, want to express heart felt thanks to their sister and sister-in-law Liz. For most of the last six years of Janet's life, she lived with and was cared for lovingly by her daughter. Liz sacraficed many things in her own life, without complaint, to see to the well being and care of our mother.
Janet is also survived by granddaughters Kaya Vice, Janna Leach, and Tammy Wilson. Great grandchildren Emma Claire Leach, Chaeli Leach, Tatum Wilson, Cecilia Vice, Brayden Leach, Isaac Vice, Leyton Leach, Wyatt Leach, Amelia Vice and Abbey Kate Leach.
Pallbearers honored to serve will be her grandsons, Bryan Leach, Trent Leach, Benjamin Leach, Christopher Leach, Michael Leach, and close family friend Jody Gauthier.
The family also wishes to express their appreciation to the staffs of Riviere de Soleil and Avoyelles Hospital. An acknowledgement and special "Thank You" also goes to Janet's niece Gwen Hollis and nephew Greg Hollis for the special attention and care they provided.

Visitation

Traditional Visitation

Escude Funeral Home of Cottonport
554 Front St.
Cottonport, LA  71327
Monday, November 23, 2015
3:00pm to 7:00pm

Service

Re-Open Visitation

St. Marys Assumption Catholic Church
808 Front. St.
Cottonport, LA  71327
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
9:00am to 11:00am

Funeral Mass

St. Marys Assumption Catholic Church
808 Front. St.
Cottonport, LA  71327
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
11:00am

Cemetery

St. Marys Catholic Mausoleum
808 Front St.
Cottonport, LA  71327

Memorial Contributions

St. Marys Residential Training School
6715 Highway 1 North
Boyce, LA  71409


St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital
501 St Jude Place
Memphis, TN  38105


St. Marys Assumption School
850 Front St
Cottonport, LA  71327