Anna Marie Leitch

Anna Marie Leitch, 86, of Manchester, New Jersey passed away peacefully at home on Friday, May 12, 2023. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, on March 24th, 1937, to parents Max and Elsie (nee Dotterman) Mockler. Raised in Gerritsen Beach, Brooklyn, she attended and graduated from James Madison High School. After graduation, she went on to attend the NY School of Fashion.

In 1957, at the St. James Lutheran Church in Brooklyn, Anna married Donald Leitch. Together, they had their three boys, Glen D. and twins, Timothy E. and Donald S. The family eventually left Brooklyn and moved to Staten Island. For many years, Anna worked as an executive assistant to the President of New York Institute of Finance and later on, in the same capacity for Nikko and New Japan Securities in New York. In the early 90's, Anna briefly crossed paths with Ben Russell while working on Wall Street. A short time later, the couple reunited on a park bench in Staten Island. It was here that they began their life's journey together. Anna was very much interested in photography and joined the Color Photographers Club of Staten Island. She won many awards for her photography and her work was published on the cover of two magazines and two calendars. She also prepared the club's monthly newsletter. She also won a photography contest at Staten Island Hospital and her winning photo was hung on the hospital wall.

In 1997 she and Ben moved to Manchester Twp. Together, they joined the Photographer's Club of Lakewood and took some amazing award winning photos. They travelled all over the world taking photos. Along with photography, Anna Marie also enjoyed many hobbies and participated in numerous community organizations. She was a member of the Order of the Rainbow Masonic organization, a cub scout den mother, a band member for St. James Lutheran Church, a member of the Staten Island Mothers of Twins Club, which she maintained friendships with these ladies for many years and represented the club at the National Twins Mother convention in California. She enjoyed doing stained glass, ceramics, horseback riding, jewelry making, knitting and indoor and outdoor gardening. She loved cooking and entertaining her friends with dinner parties. She also enjoyed sewing. Making household items such as curtains, drapes, slipcovers and clothing for herself as well as for her children. Amongst all her hobbies and activities, the thing that gave her the most joy in life was her five grandchildren. She was most proud of their accomplishments and constantly bragged about them.

Anna is survived by her life partner of 25 years, Benjamin Russell, Manchester, her sons, Glen Leitch and his wife, Lynn, Manhattan, NY, Donald Leitch and his wife, Nan, Chappaqua, NY, Timothy Leitch and his wife, Nicole, Southold, NY and her grandchildren, Gillian, Collin, Aidan, Olivia and Claudia. Cremation was private. There will be a visitation with the family on Sunday, May 21st, 2023 from 11 am to 12:30pm at Anderson and Campbell Funeral Home, 3010 Ridgeway Rd., Manchester, NJ 08759. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made in memory of Anna Marie to St. Jude's Children Hospital (stjude.org/memorial). Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.andersoncampbellmanchester.com for Ben Russell and the Leitch family.