Ann Chambers Leet

Ann Chambers Leet

Washington

Ann Chambers Leet, age 73, passed away on Sunday, June 25, 2023, at Halcyon House in Washington from advanced-stage cancer.

Celebration of life services will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at the Jones Eden Funeral Home with Chaplain Andrew Zuehlke officiating. The family will be present to receive friends from 9:30 until 10:30 Wednesday morning. Interment will take place at the West Chester Cemetery in West Chester, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, Ann requested donations be sent to Local Bible Publishers in Lansing, MI. Her daughter encourages an alternative donation option to the Children & Families of Iowa, a domestic violence shelter. Online condolences may be sent for Ann’s family at www.jonesfh.com

Ann was born on November 11, 1949 in Washington, Pennsylvania ,to Florence Chambers (Gartley) and James Chambers.

Ann loved books and sewing from an early age, and both shaped her life. She got her bachelor’s degree at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and got her master’s in teaching reading from West Virginia University. Over her career she taught thousands of elementary school children to read, even devoting nights and weekends to tutoring. Everywhere she went, she would run into a student at the mall, church, or dinner and they were always amazed that she was a real-life person outside of the classroom.

The only child who refused to be taught by Ann was her “charmingly” stubborn daughter.

Ann was also a talented seamstress. She would sew Halloween costumes at a child’s whim—from Rainbow Brite to She-Ra.

As a single mother for much of her parenting life, Ann often faced economic barriers and stigma. Watching her go through that inspired her daughter to find a career working for families of all shapes to have the freedom and resources they need to thrive.

Ann married Arnie Leet in 1999, and they moved to Arnie’s hometown of Washington, Iowa, in 2015. Ann often commented that of all the Washingtons she lived in, she liked Washington, Iowa, the best.

In Washington, Ann was able to live one of her lifelong dreams by opening up a quilt store, Needle & Thread. She loved making quilts for friends and family, and one of her last wishes was to finish quilts for her grandchildren.

Ann is survived by her daughter, Jen Girdish of Washington, DC, her son-in-law Michael Phelan, and her two grandchildren, May Phelan and Fox Phelan; her sister, Ruth Wolfe and husband Ed of Greenville, SC, sister Jane Chambers and husband John Bissell of Greenville, SC, and brother James Chambers and wife Judy of Germantown, MD.

She is also survived by stepdaughter, Jill Townsend and husband Joe of Warren, Ohio; step-daughter, Dana Chileski and husband Andy of Marysville, Ohio; four grandchildren, Jordan Townsend, Jolie Townsend, Addie Chileski, and Daniel Chileski.

Ann was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, John Girdish, and her second husband, Arnie Leet.