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Leah Frances (Affolter) Stanley

Leah Frances (Affolter) Stanley

Leah was born on Nov. 17, 1935, in Parkersburg, W.Va., and died peacefully surrounded by her family at Kobacker House in Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 4, 2017, after a brief fight with cancer.

Leah is survived by her husband, Chuck Stanley of 62 years; her sons, Jay (Jo Ann), Joe (Michaela), and Stephen (Anita); grandchildren, Josh, Sophia, Courtney (Dan), Boris, Novia, Knox; and great grandchild, Torren. Her parents, Carl and Lena Affolter; and brothers, Lyle, Robert, and Lynn preceded her to life eternal.

Leah was very proud of her Swiss/German heritage, her faith in God, and upbringing in the Lutheran Church. She loved to tell stories of family gatherings growing up with the Affolter and Brethauer families on their farm on Mill Run Road, near Parkersburg, and of her early morning chore of milking the cows. She loved to play hymns on her organ and played at her family’s church – First Lutheran in Parkersburg. She had many favorites, but A Mighty Fortress meant the most to her.

Leah graduated from Parkersburg High School in 1953 and was fond of telling stories and singing songs from her school days as a Big Red. After high school she started training to be an RN, and met her husband, Chuck Stanley. They fell in love and were married at First Lutheran in February 1955, and honeymooned in Bradenton, Fla. Later that year Chuck was drafted into the Navy and stationed at Miramar Naval Station in San Diego, Calif. They moved across country and Leah started her career as a Medical Tech working for 10 Internists in San Diego for two years while Chuck finished his commitment. She loved working in the medical field and continued working for doctors when Chuck’s post-Navy job brought them to Columbus, Ohio. In the mid 1960’s Leah chose to pause her career and focus her love on her family/children and became busy in their schools, and sports activities, and became Dr. Mom at home. She and Chuck became active members of the Columbus Swiss Club, Maennerchor, and Reynoldsburg and Pickerington Church of Christ. They also became avid Ohio State Buckeye fans bleeding scarlet and gray, and found a love for playing Euchre and had involvement in several card groups. Her desire to work outside the home in the late 1970’s led her to become a Realtor, which started an impressive career that spanned over 30 years working with her loyal clients at several companies including Cecil Routte Realty, King Thompson, Coldwell Banker, and RE/MAX. She was a mentor to her son Jay who followed her into real estate.

Leah had an eternally optimistic attitude that spread to those around her. She always could find the good in people when others had a hard time seeing it, and was extremely generous with her family, friends, and committed to giving at her church and to charities. She loved to buy gifts for her family, especially the grandkids, and was always shopping for a bargain. Leah was always dressed to the nines, from makeup to her clothes. Even in the hospital she asked for lipstick and a little makeup before she had visitors. She was very patriotic and loved parades and decorating her neighborhood with flags. She was a collector and loved antiques. She loved to sit with a friend and have a cup of tea. Leah was always artistic and in her later years she realized a dream of taking painting lessons. She painted some Still Life paintings, and Tole painted many items and gave them to family members. She had many interests, but mostly she loved being a wife and mother and grandmother, and in many ways was the glue that held together her family.

Leah’s faith in her Lord Jesus Christ was extremely important to her, and she expressed it by how she lived her life. She read the Bible and felt it was important to know both the Old and New Testaments as a continuing story of Jesus. She loved collecting angels and having them in her home. Her boys have memories of Sunday mornings starting early with loud hymns on the organ waking them for church. Prior to her last surgery she said she was at peace if she was unable to continue with this life, as she knew she would be reunited with her Lord and family in heaven.

Leah would be appreciative if you would donate money to the Kobacker House, or a Christian charity in lieu of flowers. Friends and family may call Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017. from 6-8 p.m. at Schoedinger East Chapel, 5360 E. Livingston Ave., Columbus OH 43232. A funeral service will take place Friday, Aug. 11, 2017, at 10 a.m.

Please visit our online guestbook at www.schoedinger.com to share memories or to leave your condolences.