Virginia died peacefully at The Claremont Retirement residence in Toronto in her 98th year with her brother, Dr. E. Geoffrey Beatty, faithfully by her side. She is predeceased by: her beloved husband William G. Leach; her dear sister Veronica (Douglas Little) of North Carolina; her brother-in-law Derick Leach of Dublin, Ireland; and many good friends in countries throughout the world. She is survived by her brother Geoffrey and his six children.

Virginia was a graduate of Bishop Strachan School, McGill University, Wycliffe (Theological) College, and the University of Toronto. While a student at Wycliffe, she met her future husband, Bill Leach. They married in 1955. Their union in life led to an amazing partnership in various spiritual care roles in Massachusetts, Lakefield, and Toronto, Ontario. He was the Chaplain at Lakefield College School, the Director of Hospital Chaplains, and she was a respected theological Librarian. She had a wonderful gift for languages; fluent in three or four. She was competent in horseback riding, sailing, hiking and mountain climbing; golf and skiing were her and Bill’s shared love. She had a life-long enthusiasm for travel, the outdoors, philanthropy, and her membership within the Anglican Church.

She combined all those with a love of gardening, flowers, colour, the arts, and music, particularly opera. If you knew Virginia well, you knew not to call her on Saturday afternoons when she was listening to the radio broadcasts of operas from the Met. Other loves included devotional reading. She was avid with her correspondence and was quick to write a thoughtful message of thanks or gratitude. She was always appreciative of in-person visits and phone calls; lengthy conversations often ensued with Virginia. Her wealth of friends ranged from youth to elders. She was very inter-generational with her interests in people. She demonstrated an intense interest in the daily life of the staff and students at Wycliffe College. She was honoured there by being made a Fellow. Her home-making abilities established three places of peace and beauty: in Wakefield, MA, Pittsfield, VT, and The Fairways in Mississauga, Ontario.

We would like to thank Virginia’s primary caregiver, Arlene and the other loving and supportive staff at The Claremont.

A private Interment has taken place. A public Memorial Service will be conducted by the Reverend Canon Stephen Peake at The Church of St. Bride, Anglican, 1516 Clarkson Road North, Mississauga, Ontario, on Tuesday, November 30, 2021. Due to the restrictions in place surrounding COVID-19, attendance at the service is limited; to register and for more information including times, and the Livestreaming of the service, please click on the link below. You may also leave a condolence, or make a donation using this website. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Beatty Ryckman Trust or The Church of St. Bride, would be appreciated.

For those who have registered their attendance at the service, please arrive at St. Bride’s 20 minutes early and wearing a mask. Physical distancing is expected.

Should you not be able to participate in-person, please use the following link to watch the livestream of Virginia’s service: www.churchofstbride.com/leach