Angela Lee Leary

Born in Portsmouth, Virginia on April 8, 1942 to Lillian and Claude Lee, Angela graduated from Churchland High School in 1960. She married William Thomas Leary on September 28, 1963 and they raised one daughter, Catherine Leary Estep. Ten days after her birth Angela and Tommie moved with their new daughter to Richmond where Angela held several different jobs from Grocery Store Cashier, to School Bus driver, never afraid to dive in and do whatever needed to be done. She was a horse show mom to Cathy and Tommies right hand at the St. Edward’s Knights of Columbus Chapter in Richmond, VA. She thrived professionally in Richmond as the Business Manager for Moseley-Henning Associates, Inc., Architects and Engineers ad continued to serve her community.

During the early years of their marriage, Angela and Tommie were enthusiastic members of the Portsmouth Jaycees and several other community organizations. Some of her fondest memories were of time spent raising money for and working on the Children’s Train ride, Pokey Smokey, at Portsmouth City Park. When living in Richmond she could be found volunteering in the kitchen for the Knights of Columbus Thursday night bingo, cooking pizza or working the front door. She and Tommie taught Catechism at St. Edward’s to young adults and enjoyed bowling and pinochle with friends on the weekends.

They were happy and always together. She was active in the founding of the Greenfield Community Association in Richmond and helped several other communities form associations of their own. In 1984, Angela and Tommie, moved to Hampton to be closer to family.

In 2004, Angela was elected to Hampton City Council. As a high-profile and outspoken member of the Council, opponents and allies alike admired her feisty attitude and willingness to stand up to existing power structures, whether they be her fellow council members or powerful developers. Angela fought for the citizens and got things done.

Angela believed in giving a voice to those who had none, a principal which inspired her to found with other community members, a commemorative ceremony recognizing the victims of the 9/11 attacks. A Day of Remembrance and Hope was celebrated at Gosnold’s Hope Park for 20 years on the anniversary of the attacks. As a proud American, Angela insisted that the names of the victims and first responders who had perished were read aloud every single year. Given her patriotic love of country it is fitting that she died on July 4th. Her imprint on the City of Hampton will endure.

Angela was preceded in death by her husband, Tommie and her parents Claude and Lillian Lee. She is survived by her daughter Cathy Estep and her husband Bill; three granddaughters, Katie Shaw and he husband, Justin; Leigh Dandridge and her husband, Mark; Jordan Fiegh and her husband, Chris, along with two sisters, one sister-in-law and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home in Hampton on Sunday, July 23rd at 3:00 pm with a Catholic Mass on Monday, July 24th at St. Paul’s Catholic Church at 11:30 am. Interment to follow immediately after at All Saints Cemetery, Portsmouth, VA .