Mary Jane Leche
June 13, 1929 – Jan. 5, 2010
Mary Jane Leche, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and sister, died at her home in Friday Harbor, Wash. on Jan. 5, 2010.
She was 80.
In memory and thanksgiving for the life of Mary Jane, a Requiem Eucharist will be celebrated Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010 at 2 p.m. at St. David’s Episcopal Church, Friday Harbor. Graveside service will be conducted at Breidablik Cemetery in Poulsbo, date and time to be announced (visit www.evanschapel.com )
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. David’s Episcopal Church Building Fund (P.O. Box 2714, Friday Harbor, WA. 98250) or to the Church of the Transfiguration (P.O. Box 55, Darrington, WA. 98241). To share memories of Mary Jane, sign the online guest register at
She was born at home in Wickford, R.I., on June 13, 1929 to Basil K. Major and Helen J. (Cartmell) Major. She graduated from North Kingstown High School in 1947 and then went on to graduate in 1950 from St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing in New York, N.Y. She worked as a head nurse at St. Luke’s Hospital in New York City and it was there she met Edward Leche, a young seminarian and her future husband of 55 years.
They married on Feb. 19, 1955 in St. Mary’s Church in Lakewood, Wash., where they began their 35 years of active ministry serving congregations throughout western Washington. In 1967, the family was assigned to the San Juan Islands Mission in northwest Washington state. There, Mary Jane and Edward raised their family and made their home for more than 43 years.
Affectionately known as “Little Rhodie,” she will be remembered for her “Yankee spirit,” her devotion to husband and family, and spontaneous fits of laughter. She was a Christian woman who unselfishly embraced the role and ministry of priest’s wife with grace, generosity, and hospitality.
She is survived by her husband, the Rev. Edward D. Leche III of Friday Harbor, Wash.; her sister, Helen E. Major of Poulsbo, Wash.; her four children, Mary DeLong (David) of Olympia, Wash., M. Jane Leche of Lakewood, Colo., Martha Leche (Ellis Krauss) of San Diego, Calif., and Edward D. Leche IV (Susanna) of Poulsbo, Wash.; and six grandchildren, Elizabeth L. DeLong, Kathleen G. DeLong, Mary Clare DeLong, Isaac D. Leche, Lillian B. Leche, and Caleb E. Leche.
She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Robert E. Major.
— Family of Mary Jane Leche
