Edith Vogel Leffman

4/12/12 – 5/15/11

On a rainy spring morning Edith Leffman peacefully passed away after a short hospice stay. Edith was born in Czechoslovakia where she graduated from the University of Prague Medical School in Dentistry. In medical school she met her husband, Henry. They loved their time in sophisticated Prague, but in 1937 they traveled by ocean liner to New York City for Henry to pursue a degree in Neurology. The Nazi invasion of their homeland changed their return plans, and they fully and gratefully adopted America as their new country. They moved to upstate New York, where Henry began his practice and their daughters were born. When Henry enlisted in the Army for the Korean War, the family moved to Fort Lewis in 1951. In 1952 they built their family home on Mercer Island, where they both lived until their last days. Edith received a Master’s in Psychiatric Social Work from the University of Washington, and worked at Florence Crittendon’s Home for Unwed Mothers in Renton until it closed in 1973. Edith’s devotion was to her family, and they shared years of traveling, hiking, skiing and sailing. She loved classical music, opera, tennis, and bridge. Independent by nature, Edith loved a good informed discussion and was able and prepared throughout her ninety-nine years with us. Her wit and extraordinary life stories are greatly missed. She was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Henry. She is survived by daughters Joan Randal (Keith) and Jackie Wells (Bob), and grandsons Ken Lewis and Scott Wells. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Fragile X Association of Washington, 15025 – 70th Ave NE, Kenmore, WA 98028. No services held at Edith’s request. Special gratitude to Dr. John Addison and Karin Miller, MSW, at the Mercer Island Senior Health Center and the Evergreen Hospice Care Center for the wonderful care she received.

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