Leah Farmer

Leah Farmer died in her home on May 12, 2025 at the age of 90, surrounded by friends and family. Leah lived with her parents and two older brothers in Brooklyn, New York, within walking distance of Coney Island.

She went to college, was married several times and had one son, Matt, who now lives with his wife, Spring, in California. Her beloved granddaughter, Emerald, has preceded her in death. He stepdaughter, Anne, lives close by in Maryland. Her granddaughter, Maia, and Maia's husband Jesus, and Leah's great-granddaughter, Sophie, live nearby as well. He nephew,Johnny, and his partner, Maureen, and her two nieces, Sandy and Dana, round out this bright and talented family. Leah was also privileged for many years to be a surrogate grandmother to Sheila, who now lives in Denmark, playing her beautiful music.

In 2015, Leah met a new friend, Pat Matthews, in an adult learning class. They enjoyed many of the same interests and soon were meeting for lunch every week. In 2018, they decided it was time to get married.

Pat soon discovered that Leah seemed to know everyone in Staunton. No matter where they went, Leah was drawn into a conversation about almost everything. Pat had a front-row seat to Leah's perspective on who she was and her lack of concern people thought of her decision when they went to a concert and Leah introduced Pat as her spouse. Several women couldn't believe their ears, they looked at her, looked at Pat, looked back at her again.Leah took her seat as though she had just declared that she was having salmon for dinner.

Leah's interests were wide-ranging and Pat could hardly keep up with her, the Shakespeare Theater; a number of musical venues, her beloved Salon, where friends discussed political philosophical issues, literature, art, poetry, more OLLI classes. They went to the Temple House of Israel, where Leah had been a member for many years and Pat started to pick up basics of the service and the prayers. Leah was proud of being Jewish though it could also be a source of melancholy for her.

Family, given any chance, Leah would say "You should get married at 83. It's great!"

A memorial service for Leah will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at Temple House of Israel, 15 North Market St., Staunton. A brief graveside service and a gathering back at the Temple to meet and talk will follow.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Staunton Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes and Crematory.

Relatives and friends may share condolences and memories with the family online by visiting www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com