Leah Lynn Vance's Obituary
Leah (Travis) Vance was born in Hood River, Oregon, on June 23, 1958. Her early years were spent in Parkdale, Oregon, living amidst the apple orchards and at the foot of Mount Hood. When she was nine years old, the Travis family moved to Washtucna, Washington, where Leah finished her school age years, active in Christian Endeavor, playing tennis, and life guarding at the local swimming pool. She attended Yakima Valley Community College and then worked as a career advisor at Eastern Washington Community College before moving to Tacoma in 1983, where she took a position at the University of Puget Sound (UPS) in Career and Employment Services, working with students to prepare them for their future work lives.
While living in Tacoma, Leah started attending Parkway Presbyterian Church, teaching Sunday School and becoming an advisor for the Christian Endeavor youth program. After her mother passed in 1995, Leah took over as Choir Director at Parkway, a position she held for 25 years. Leah directed the Parkway bell choir and participated in Quest bible study groups. She also served as Music Director, Deacon, and Elder at Parkway.
After many years of friendship, Leah married David in 2000, forming a small, Christ-centered family. Over the years that followed, they shared music, family, friends, and their Parkway Church family. Together, they were fortunate to enjoy occasional trips to Disney parks and a few destinations in Europe, as well as vacations at their property in Ocean Shores, Washington. She loved zoos and animals, especially dogs and pandas, and her two cats, Chloe and Zoey.
In 2013, Leah took a position in the School of Music at UPS, working with student musicians and organizing concerts at the university. After 35 years at UPS, Leah retired in 2018. She was active in retirement, participating and then serving as a leader in Bible Study Fellowship and enjoying summers at Ocean Shores.
Leah was promoted to Glory on June 29, 2024.
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