Remembering Leah
Leah Catharine Harris Michelow was born in Dillon, SC, on October 14, 1971, to Mike and Cynthia Harris. Because her dad was serving in the US Navy in Bermuda, Cynthia returned to the States so that Leah could be born close to family. After spending several weeks in South Carolina being doted on by her cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents, Leah moved with her family to Maine so that her dad could finish his service in the military. Once he was discharged, they moved back to the south to be closer to family.
Leah grew up in Cary, NC, where she enjoyed a quintessential childhood. She spent hours exploring barefooted in the backyard creek, riding bikes and roller skating until dark, and playing kickball in the street with her neighborhood friends. She looked forward to spending time at her Granddaddy Clyde’s farm in Garner, NC, fishing in the pond, hiking in the woods, and riding on his big red tractor. It was here at the farm that she fell in love with animals, spending many hours with the horses and barn cats. Leah often brought stray animals home. Invariably, each one became a new family pet, despite her dad’s protestations to the contrary. Throughout her life, Leah continued to include beloved pets in her life. As a little girl, Leah was also a big fan of fashion and playing dress up. It was very common to find her wearing her mom’s wedding dress for everyday activities. She loved to shop for fancy dresses and wanted to wear heels when she was five. While in middle school, Leah and her family moved to North Raleigh where she met her lifelong friend, Melanie. The two girls were inseparable and had many daring adventures together! As soon as she was old enough, Leah took an after-school job working at a local florist to help support her love of fashion. Even as a teenager, she was a dedicated worker and was soon entrusted with many responsibilities.
After graduating from high school, Leah spent her freshman year of college at UNC Charlotte. She then transferred to East Carolina University to pursue a degree in nursing. While at ECU, Leah became close friends with her roommates, Beth and Jennifer. They spent their weekends tailgating and cheering on the Pirates and would often have to hunt down Leah’s cat, Billy, who liked to spend time at the fraternity and sorority houses. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from East Carolina University and spent years taking care of patients and their families as a Cardiac Nurse, ER Nurse, and CTICU Nurse in Concord, Chapel Hill and Raleigh, NC. Later, she added a Master’s degree in Nursing from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and went on to become a CRNA where she served patients in Charlotte, NC.
Leah eventually settled down in Charlotte, reconnecting with her college roommate, Beth. Beth introduced Leah to her brother-in-law, Paul, who was to become the love of Leah’s life. After dating for a year and a half, Leah and Paul surprised their families by marrying while on a trip to Las Vegas in February 2010. Leah was delighted to become a step-mom to Brady and she cherished the relationship that they built over the years. In 2013, their daughter, Hadley, was born. Leah loved spending time with Hadley: shopping for fancy dresses together, baking cookies for the holidays, snuggling on the couch, and indulging in spa nights were just a few of the treasured moments they spent together.
One of Leah’s top priorities was creating a beautiful and loving home for her family, and she valued her relationships with them all. Leah was extraordinarily close with her sister, Alicia. When Alicia married Asa, Leah gained a brother. Leah loved her role as beloved aunt to their three children, AJ, Brody, and Skyler, regularly babysitting, attending ball games, and celebrating important moments, both big and small. When Leah married Paul, she embraced her new family, his brothers David and Matt, their wives Kelly and Beth (her college roommate), and nieces and nephews Natalie, Andrew, Ford, and Grayson.
Leah found joy in the small moments of life. She enjoyed volunteering at her church, challenging herself with jigsaw puzzles, trying new recipes and cooking for family, shopping for great deals online, and walking with her dog, Gracie. She always made time to enjoy friends, old and new. Sneaking off for “girls’ weekends” and annual holiday shopping days with her mom, sister, and niece were special annual events. Hosting Sunday night dinners for her parents and Brady was a weekly joy for her. She always looked forward to vacationing at Topsail Beach, NC, where she would spend time catching up with her large Barrington family while sitting on the beach, swimming to the sandbar and floating in the bay, and exploring the marshes with her sister. She also enjoyed fishing and waterskiing at Topsail; until recently, she made a yearly ski run just to prove to everyone that she could still do it. Leah enjoyed life and lived it fully!
Leah was a believer in Jesus Christ, striving to live a life that embodied his teachings. Throughout both her career and personal life, Leah was devoted to living a life of service to others. She went on several construction and medical mission trips to Mexico and Jamaica with her churches, and she centered her entire career around serving patients. She and her family were active partners at Team Church in Matthews, NC, where she volunteered for the cleaning committee. Over the years, Leah grew in her faith. She was patient and slow to anger, always ready to help others in need and quick to forgive. She deeply loved and cared for the people in her life and she made sure that they knew it through her words and her actions. She strived to love people like Jesus loved her! It was her hope and deep desire for people to know Jesus and accept the grace and salvation that he offers.
Leah was diagnosed with an astrocytoma brain tumor in November 2019. Throughout the many procedures and treatments that she endured, Leah clung to her faith, family, and friends to help her through difficult times. During this challenging year, Paul faithfully loved and cared for Leah until she went to be with her Lord on November 24, 2020, at the age of 49. She passed away at home, surrounded by loved ones.
Leah was so loved! We will feel her absence often and miss her deeply.
We will always cherish our special memories of time with her.
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
- Irish Blessing