Leah M. Sailor
October 16, 1935 - August 13, 2016
Obituary
WAUNAKEE/MADISON-Leah M. Sailor, age 80, of Waunakee, died peacefully on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, at Waunakee Manor. She was born in Marshfield on Oct. 16, 1935, the daughter of Dorothy and Douglas McPherson. Leah was an accomplished musician who received a full scholarship to study piano at Kendall College in Evanston, Ill. After two years of college, Fid Sailor, the love of her life, proposed and they were married on Nov. 24, 1956. Music continued to play a central role throughout her life. Leah played piano and organ for many churches, community groups and schools. She gave piano lessons, sang in a competition level with Sweet Adeline's Quartet, directed student musical groups and church choirs and led the Westshire Village Community Chorus. Leah worked for a hospital supply company, was a manager of a medical office, a payroll clerk for the Antigo School District, an Executive Secretary in the banking industry and sold annuities. Leah's greatest joys were her marriage to Fid, supporting and partnering with him in his many years of ministry, raising their two children, and watching their grandchildren grow. Leah is survived and will be dearly missed by daughter, Tina (Greg) Lang; son, Doug (Becky) Sailor; grandchildren, Jamie and Amanda Lang (Matt Schluntz), Michelle Sailor, Coreena (Brandon) Meger and Rachel (Eric) Tessier; great-grandson, Harry Meger; sister, Alice Hauan; sister-in-law, Vida McKinley; and many beloved nieces, nephews and dear friends. She was preceded in death by Fid, her husband of 56 years. A memorial service and celebration of Leah's life will be held at FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 203 Wisconsin Ave., Madison, at 2 p.m., on Wed. Aug. 31, 2016, with a time of fellowship to follow. Memorial gifts may be directed toward the Wisconsin United Methodist Hospital Chaplaincy Fund or First United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608)221-5420
Events
Service
Wed Aug 31, 2016 @ 2:00 PM CDT
First United Methodist Church Madison • 203 Wisconsin Ave., Madison, WI 53703
Photos
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Memories
KA
Karen Andro
Other •
Leah, your graceful and loving presence will be missed in all the places and spaces you filled with your gentle and kind spirit. I feel blessed to have known you and will miss you dearly and remember you fondly.
Love,
Karen Andro
RD
Ruby Dow
Other •
With greatest sympathy. I enjoyed getting to know Leah as we traveled to St. Louis for UMW Leadership Training. I will miss seeing Leah at the Baraboo Theatrical Guild presentations. She will be missed. Ruby Dow, UMW Conference Team Member
BA
Bob Anderson
Other •
We are so sorry to hear of Leah's passing. The friendship we enjoyed with your family in Antigo will always be cherished. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
Bob Anderson, Linda (Anderson) Middleton, and all of the Hilber and Irene Anderson family
LJ
Lynne Jeffris
Other •
Dear Leah. I recently came across a Facebook post where I had included Leah in a list of my closest friends and confidants. She thanked me but it is I who am grateful. Such a kind, gentle, loving woman as I got to know her from the beginning which was, maybe 20 years ago if that is possible. Leah and Fid and Jeff and I belonged to a couples' movie group through First Church and shared dinners and discussions along with David and Judy, and Joan and Don plus others. Leah has been so active in our Deborah Circle Group, choir, and more service to church, family, and friends than I can count. God truly blessed Leah and all of us who knew and loved her. Losing those whom we love is never easy. We look forward to meeting them all again in a better place. Good bye Leah. Until we meet again.
Jeff and Lynne Jeffris