June Ruth Leahey

She was born on June 11, 1939, in Hudson, Massachusetts to Lawrence and Marie Butler. Known by family and friends as “Ruth” she graduated from Lexington High School. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Tufts University with a degree in Education and received her Master’s Degree in Early Education from the University of Southern Maine.

In August of 1960 she married William “Chick” Leahey whom she met while they were both working at the Poland Spring Resort. They enjoyed 55 years of marriage together in Lewiston and raised their four children on East Avenue.

Ruth proudly ran a nursery school in her home for four years focusing on interactive, play-based early education. She became a kindergarten teacher for the Lewiston Public Schools, teaching at both Farwell and Montello Elementary Schools. Ruth was honored to be the recipient of the Genova Kirk Award for outstanding service to the teaching profession. In her retirement, Ruth enjoyed working for LL Bean’s call center in Lewiston for nine holiday seasons. Ruth always enjoyed music, traveling, walking on the beach, gardening and cooking, and her home was filled with the antique furniture she refinished, things she sewed, knitted, and embroidered.

The Leahey family was active in the St. Patrick’s parish where Ruth served as a Eucharistic Minister. Ruth volunteered in the Lewiston Public Library’s “Book It” program, and at Central Maine Medical Center.

Ruth and Chick enjoyed camping, traveling, hiking and attending a wide array of events at Bates College together. They shared many happy winters in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Family was always the focus for Ruth and Chick, and the family shared many trips exploring the beauty of Maine and much of the United States. A particularly fond memory was the summer Ruth and Chick spent eight weeks camping and exploring the National Parks with their young children.

Ruth is survived by her four children: Dr. Ann-Marie Leahey and her husband Dr. David Vaughn, Col. Mark Leahey US Army (Ret) and his wife Michele Leahey, Barbara Sullivan, and Capt. Matthew Leahey US Navy (Ret) and his wife Melissa Leahey. She greatly enjoyed her seven grandchildren and two great grandsons. She was predeceased by her beloved husband who died in 2016, her sisters Sara Potter and Lora Jackomin, and her son-in-law Patrick Sullivan.

The family plans to honor their cherished mother with a Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Family Church in Lewiston Maine on Friday May 1st, 2026, at 11:00 AM with Rite of Committal immediately following at Mt Hope Cemetery. The family invites friends to join in the celebration of the life of a remarkable teacher, friend, wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.

In lieu of flowers, it was Ruth’s wish that donations be made to The Bancroft School (Bancroft/Development, 1255 Caldwell Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034) or bancroft.org in honor of her grandson, Luke Vaughn.

Arrangements are in the care of The Fortin & Pinette Group, 305 Alfred A Plourde Parkway, Lewiston. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the funeral home website.