Anna Irene (Bowers) Leighty, 65, of Wooster, passed away peacefully on the morning of February 27, 2024 at Divine Nursing Home at Honeytown, formerly known as Glendora. She was born on August 25, 1958 to Roy Dean and Doris May (Ickes) Bowers in Wooster, Ohio. Ann was a graduate of Northwestern High School in 1976 and of Malone College in 1980 with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education.
Upon receiving her degree, Ann went on to begin her teaching career in Hilo, Hawaii and Saipan. She returned home to Wooster, then had an extensive career teaching for Southeast Local School district at Fredericksburg, Holmesville, and Apple Creek Elementary Schools. Ann had a deep love and dedication for her students. She loved when former students would come up to talk to her when she would see them in public and always enjoyed following their accomplishments as they grew up. Ann retired in 2017 after over 30 years in teaching.
Ann met the love of her life, Michael (Mike) Leighty, when she began teaching at Fredericksburg Elementary. They married on July 10, 1994 on the front porch of their home and later, gave birth to two daughters, Michelle and Marcy. Ann was deeply dedicated to her family and raised her daughters to know the love of, and be in relationship with Jesus Christ. Ann also obtained her Masters plus in Education while teaching full time and raising her daughters.
Ann always cherished her time in Hawaii and loved to talk about the culture of the Hawaiian people. She dreamed of moving back to Hilo one day. Ann was always willing to help someone in need. Having been a Candy Striper in her younger years, she would put her First Aid skills to use anytime she saw a stranger in a medical emergency. Ann loved to read, sing, dance, and laugh with her children. Her smile always brightened up the room and she never turned down a chance to grab some coconut ice cream with the people she loved.
Ann will be dearly missed by her daughters, Michelle Leighty and Marcy Leighty, both of Wooster; sister Nancy Musser of Wooster; along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and grandnieces who loved her very much. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, as well as an unborn child that she finally gets to hold in heaven.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 4, 2024 at 10:00 AM at McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster. Interment will follow in Sherwood Memorial Gardens.
Friends will be received on Sunday March 3, 2024 from 2:00-4:00 PM at the funeral home.
Please make donations to Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare Hospice, 1900 Akron Rd., Wooster, OH 44691. The family would like to thank their team, as well as the staff at Divine Nursing Home, for their excellent care of their beloved mother and sister, and for their continued support of the family.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your mother and to my cousin, Mike, also.
A bright and shining star will now shine over us all!
Please accept my sincere and heartfelt sympathy. A Northwestern High School class mate gone too soon.
My sincere condolences to the Leighty and Bowers families. I went to school with Anna from elementary through high school. She was always such a friendly and positive person. I’m sure she will be deeply missed by all of you.
So sorry, prayers for Nancy and famiy
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for the family.
What a beautiful picture of a beautiful woman, inside and out! So sorry for your loss, Michelle and Marcy. I will remember our days at Apple Creek Elementary fondly.
Sympathy & love to your family. I was saddened to see of Ann’s passing. I enjoyed teaching with Ann at Fredericksburg! She (& Mike) were fun to work with ….I have many fond memories. My prayer is for you to feel God’s comfort,
We were deeply saddened to learn of Ann’s passing. She was a dear high school friend of our daughter, Sharon, and we always welcomed her to our family. A beautiful lady inside and out! Praying the Lord will hold close and comfort her daughters, Michelle and Marcy, and her sister, Nancy, who took such loving care of her.
I’m a STNA at Devine I took care of Anna for the whole time she was at our facility I loved her and she always greeted me with a big smile I’m sorry for your loss Rest in peace beautiful Anna
We are so sorry to hear about Ann. We loved her as our children’s teacher.
Our sympathy to the girls and the family.
I enjoyed taking care of Anna. She always made me smile and laugh. She is deeply missed. Condolences to her beautiful family who loved her so much.