On Wednesday, April 10, 2024, Leah Elizabeth Bacchetti (Rowland) beloved mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully at the age of 100. Graduating Valedictorian of her 1942 Lander High School class, Leah went on to pursue a nursing degree from Meyer Memorial Hospital in Buffalo, N.Y. A strong and caring woman, she spent her career helping others, but the highlight for her was working in the surgical suite of the cardiology department. Leah married to the love of her life, Robert, for 48 years before his passing in 1995. After his passing, she decided she wanted to see the world. She traveled to Alaska, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Africa, and through Europe. In her 60’s, Leah read a book called “Be an Outrageous Older Woman”, and boy did she take that seriously. She was outrageous in every wonderful way. A lover of animals and mischief, Leah would go for walks in the park where it was illegal to feed deer and fashioned herself a pair of pants that allowed food to fall out of the bottom as she walked. She enjoyed feeding the deer but was incensed that the authorities told her she wasn’t allowed to. The greatest non-Italian cook of Italian food, Leah’s ravioli was well-known for being world class and often caused family fights as to who got to take home the leftovers. Above all else, Leah valued the relationships she had with her family. She was a loving mother and doting grandmother. A special “thank you” to son David, daughter-in-law Christine, and her aides Celestine, Winnie, Denise, and Mary for taking such wonderful care of her the last few years of her life.
Leah was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Robert, brothers, Robert and Howard, and sister, Pauline Sarvis.
She is survived by sons Robert (Astrid) and David (Christine), grandchildren Christina (Jobin) and Andrew, great-grandchildren Lillana, Riley, and Juliet, sister Eleanor Johnson, and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation hours will be on Friday, April 19, 2024, from 12:00 Noon until 1:00 P.M. at the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., 304 East Street, Warren, PA. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Russell, PA. E-mail condolences may be sent by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com