Joyce Leach

Chinook resident Betty Joyce Leach, 88, known to all as Joyce, died peacefully on October 25, 2015 in Long Beach. The daughter of Oliver and Verla Templeton, Joyce was born in Tacoma, Washington on December 27, 1927. She grew up on the family farm near Toledo, Washington and it was there that she learned her life long values of hard work, dedication, love of animals and gardening. She was a graduate of Toledo High School. On April 7, 1946 Joyce married Toledo native son Gene Leach in Kelso and their residence was established in Longview. There Joyce was a wife, homemaker and later mother to three children. In 1980 she and Gene moved to Chinook. Throughout her life Joyce was active in community events. While in Longview she housed basketball players for Lower Community College and was active in church events. Strong in her Christian faith she was a member of Ocean Beach Presbyterian Church and also attended Family Worship Center in Ocean Park and Chinook Lutheran where she was a member of the Quilters Guild. Joyce and Gene were instrumental in the initial development of the Peninsula Food Bank where for over ten years they transported supplies. Joyce also supported the Community Thrift Store in Long Beach and for many years faithfully provided Christmas stockings to the Naselle Youth Camp. She enjoyed gardening, baking and family. Joyce is survived by her children Michael (Linda) Leach, Kathy Brown, and Phillip Leach; grandchildren Chris Leach, Kathleen Horacek, Jason Brown, Travis Brown, Brett Brown, Jessica Bell and Michael Leach; several great-grandchildren; sister Kay Brown; and her niece Arieta Carney. She was preceded in death by her husband Gene in 2006 and by sisters Lorraine and Joan. Joyce had requested no service be held. Memorials are requested in her memory to any Peninsula based endeavor. Her guestbook is available at www.penttilaschapel.com