I had the absolute pleasure to dance with Leigh. She was always already to learn new steps, have fun and of course blow everyone away by remembering all the dance steps from the week before.

I have a very fond and proud memory of Leigh. In a group of 10 ladies trying to remember last week’s steps including our lovely teacher. Leigh quietly showed our teacher the entire dance as everyone stopped and watched. When she finished we all clapped in awe what a great tap dancer and memory she had. She blew us away. She had such a beautiful proud smile as we all clapped.

Her love for dance shined through. She was a natural. A bright light on stage. She will be forever missed. My condolences to her family and friends. She had so many lovely things to say about them on our drives to dance competitions. Leigh is gone way too soon. She will always be remembered. 

To give my sincere condolences does not even begin to describe how I am feeling.  I have tried writing this several times this week, but keep getting lost to find what I hope will be the right words.  

I am truly heartbroken for Leigh, for her illness and for her time being taken away far to soon.  To Don, to Melissa, Ryan, Scarlett and Griffin, to Kim and Mike, to Greg , Joanne, Michael and Hillary and to all the Munroe and Keffer family, I would like to express how sorry and saddened I am for you all.  

Leigh was with out any doubt one of the best friends I have ever had.  Always there for me.  Always with a smile.  Also with an ear to listen and great advice.  Always so kind, so generous, so thoughtful, so compassionate and the list goes on and on.  Not to mention funny and adventurous.  Humble.  Smart and dedicated to her job (although thrilled to retire when she did), and decidated to her friends and of course to her family.  

I met Leigh through work well over 30 years ago and at first we were co-workers, but it didn't take to long for us to become friends.  Over the last few years of working together, we ran a lot of work social events together.  Partners in "social" crime.  So many memories, which were fortunately caught on camera. A few I will share here and others that I will be sharing with Don, Kim and Melissa for Leigh's Celebration of Life.  

Although it has been nearly 20 years since we worked together, we have always kept in touch.  Always a yearly get together at Christmas with other former co-workers.  The numbers of attendees have decreased through the years, but there were always the die hards with Leigh and I.  

So many dinners through out the years, each year, usually at various Milestones where the waitresses/waiters would keep coming to ask us if we were ready to order, but we were always talking to much that we hadn't even looked at the menu.  We always ended up ordering the same thing though, so  we eventually realized to just order "our usual" when they asked us.  Usually 3 hour dinners, flew by in an instant.

I am so grateful for some visits with Don and Leigh at their beautiful cottage in Bracebridge and at their beautiful home in Erin.  Leigh and Don's home and cottage are works of art from all their renovations and from the love and work they both put into them.  Fond memories of Copper swimming and barking (or trying to eat the water) at the cottage.

I am beyond grateful for my last visit at their home in Erin last month, where Leigh insisted on making me tea to go with the delicious pastries she had asked Don to get that morning for our visit.  The visit was supposed to be about Leigh, but Leigh being so hospitable as always, insisted on pampering me.

When Leigh told me about her illness in January, I had to read the text several times to try to comprehend the words and as to how this could be happening to her.  If I couldn't comprehend, I couldn't imagine how Leigh and Don were feeling and all her family.  I let Leigh know that I would be texting her daily moving forward but only to reply when she wanted to.  Of course she replied daily, and we exchanged a lot of pictures (old and new) and I sent her various videos with music, as Leigh's love of music (and dance) was so big.  Lost as to how to help, this was my silly solution which she said made her laugh.  I asked her to name some of her favourite songs, and she told me her play list was 8 hours long so whatever I picked she would like it :)

Leigh, our last hug I will feel and remember forever.  As will I remember our last verbal words and our last text words.  I am truly so very thankful for our friendship.  I will think and remember you every day.  You have impacted my life is such a positive and meaningful way.  As I know you have for so many.

Don, Kim, Melissa,  Greg and Joanne and to all of your families, I of course don't need to tell you the love Leigh had for you.  She spoke of you so much throughout our friendship and the words she spoke of you on our last visit that I have shared with you, were so true to her heart.

Special hugs to Scarlett and Griffin xo 

On June 15th, I know there will be tears, but it will be a honour to be there as Leigh's friend to celebrate her with all of her friends and family.

Again my sincere condolences.

Love Rachel xo

Leigh was so kind and supportive to me during our trip to Newfoundland . 

She was always willing to help me and provide me with hand warmers and icers during our hikes on the BT 

She was an exceptional person and will be greatly missed by her family and friends