Leah J. Duckworth, 67, Breast Cancer Awareness Advocate
Leah J. Duckworth, (nee Rosso), age 67, of Lorain, died Saturday August 4, 2007 at the New Life Hospice Center of Saint Joseph following an extended illness.
Leah was born in Lorain on June 1, 1940 and had remained a life-long resident of the city.
She graduated with honors from Lorain High School as a member of the Class of 1958. She later attended the I.C.M. School of Business in Cleveland and completed an accelerated curriculum there to receive certification as a Medical Office Assistant.
Mrs. Duckworth was employed for many years as the office manager for Dr. Romeo M. Diaz of Lorain. Upon the relocation of that medical practice, Leah joined the staff of Lorain National Bank where she served as a documents scanner until the time of her retirement in 2004.
She was widely recognized for her efforts to promote Breast Cancer awareness throughout greater Lorain and western Cuyahoga Counties and served as a spokesperson and facilitator for R.E.N.E.W., a resource group working in conjunction with the American Cancer Society, which offered support and guidance to patients facing reconstructive surgery following cancer-related breast surgery. Leah was also selected by Dr. Diaz to testify in front of a Congressional Sub Committee hosted by then Ohio Congressman Sherrod Brown which targeted the high incidence of breast cancer in this region.
In her free time she was an avid reader who also enjoyed travel, fashion, music, and the theater.
Survivors include her husband of forty-seven years Eugene “Gene” L. Duckworth, daughter Tracy A. Duckworth-Rodgers of Lorain, son Scott J. Duckworth of Powell, Ohio, granddaughters Leigh Duckworth and Gina Rodgers, and grandson James Duckworth.
Leah was preceded in death by her parents John and Dorothy (nee Rozic) Rosso.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at 12:00 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Avenue, Lorain. The Reverend Dale Warrick, Pastor of Cornerstone United Methodist Church will preside.
Memorial contributions may be made in her name to either Community Health Partners Regional Foundation / New Life Hospice, 3700 Kolbe Road, Lorain, OH 44053 or to the Genesis House of Lorain County.