Leanne Elizabeth (Smith) Stell

Leanne Elizabeth Stell passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 29, 2024, after a recent illness.

Leanne was born in Wilmington, DE to George and Martha Smith in 1942, and was a lifelong resident of Delaware. After graduating from Wilmington High School, she worked for Bank of Delaware, the State Legislature in Dover, Travelers Insurance, New Castle County Executive, Henry Folsom, the FDI Group and Caravel Academy.

Leanne was involved in many organizations through the years. She was a Brownie Troop Leader with the Girl Scouts and active with American Field Service, including hosting four exchange students. She was a member of the Delaware Valley Miata Club where she also served as President. Leanne was very politically involved with many local and statewide candidates. She also ran for State Representative in 1978. She was a member of First and Central Presbyterian Church, volunteering with Friendship House's Saturday Hospitality for many years. For decades, she was active with the Fair Hill Scottish Games held in Fair Hill, MD, each spring.

Leanne was predeceased by her sister, Alda Monsen and her husband, Richard, to whom she was married for 56 years.

She is survived by her daughters, Laurie Lorah (Mark) of Newark, DE and Lisanne Kyle (Jody); granddaughter Annabelle of Norwalk, CT; and several nieces and nephews. Leanne is also survived by her extended family: Betsy Helm; Chie Ueki (Satoshi) and children Kazu and Haruna; Zsuzsika Smit and children Sabastiaan and Ben; Ernesto Vega (Paula) and children Pablo, Sebastian, Luis and Ema.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025 from 10-11:00 am at Beeson Funeral Home, 2053 Pulaski Highway, Newark, DE 19702. A celebration of life service will begin at 11:00 am. Interment will be private at Delaware Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Bear, DE. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her name to Friendship House at friendshiphousede.org.

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