On August 31, 2011 Leah Joy Sparks died peacefully at her parent’s home in Severn after a long battle against soft tissue sarcoma. Leah endured fifteen months of chemotherapy with seven different drugs and also radiation until she exhausted all of her options. To quote her oncologist, “You fought the fight and finished the race.”
Leah was born August 30, 1972, in Delaware, Ohio. In 1986 she lost her left leg to osteosarcoma during her first bout with cancer. She graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University in 1995 and held a Master’s in Library Science from the University of Maryland and a Master’s in Publishing from Oxford-Brookes University in Oxford, England.
Leah was employed as an intelligence analyst for the FBI in Baltimore. She was extremely dedicated to her job and it brought her great joy to work for the Bureau. She was given the Leadership Award by her FBI colleagues at Quantico, Virginia and was the student speaker at graduation. Leah wanted to be remembered for her integrity, her loyalty, and her love for her family and country. She was a voracious reader and enjoyed playing the Scottish fiddle and cycling; she once rode 54 miles using her biking prosthesis. She was a member of Severn United Methodist Church where she wrote the bi-monthly newsletter and prepared the weekly bulletins. She insisted on finishing the bulletin after being admitted to hospice eight days before her death.
Leah will be forever held in the hearts of her grateful parents, Rev. Dr. Kelly and Myra Sparks, her sister, Erin Sparks Talbot and her husband, Mark Talbot, of Moorestown, New Jersey. “Auntie Leah” will never be forgotten by Ethan and Spencer Talbot, Leah’s 7 year old twin nephews. Other survivors include Leah’s maternal grandmother, Mrs. James Holtsclaw of Charleston, West Virginia and paternal grandmother, Mrs. James Sparks of Hurricane, West Virginia. Leah was loved and respected by her many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Leah wanted everyone to remember her as she was before her illness. At her request, a private viewing for family only will be followed by a celebration of her life on Saturday, September 3rd, 2011 at Severna Park United Methodist Church in Severna Park, Maryland at 3:00 p.m. A private burial will follow.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Leah’s favorite charity, the Ronald McDonald House
Hi Peter & Elke,
Peter, we met many years ago in passing when I heard your playing at the Royal Mile. Elke, we
haven't met, though I hope to correct that soon. I hope our paths intersect soon.
I'm also hoping you'll both help promote CCE MAD Week among your musical contacts. MAD Week is an
exceptionally fun week of trad Irish music and dance, not exactly the same cup of tea, but there are
many Scots and Irish over the border.
We have an exceptional faculty this year:
Fiddle: Martin Hayes, Patrick Ourceau, Jesse Smith, Cleek Schrey, Bob Spates, Donna Long, Joe DeZarn, Dylan Foley
Flute/Whistle/Uilleann Pipes: Kevin Crawford, Laura Byrne, Jerry O'Sullivan
Guitar Accompaniment (DADGAD): Josh Dukes
Bodhran: Jesse Winch, Myron Bretholz
Button Accordion: Sean McComiskey (Friday only)
Tenor Banjo: Keith Carr
Singing/Song Circle: Len Graham
Set Dance/Sean-nos: Marilyn Moore, Shannon Dunne
Would be happy to extend early registration discount ($45) to any and all of those you would care to invite!
For more information about schedule, faculty bios, and registration information:
http://www.ccepotomac.org/www/MADWeek.html
I've also attached a flyer (.pdf) for your information and convenience. Please feel free to post or forward at will.
If either of you would like to attend the public faculty concert on Wednesday, July 20th (7:30 p.m.) at Takoma Park
Community Center, please let me know and I'll be happy to set aside comp tickets in your name. For more information
about the concert, please see the calendar section of the IMT website: http://www.imtfolk.org.
Thanks much for your consideration and assistance.
Sincerely,
Mitch Fanning, Director
CCE MAD Week 2011
http://www.ccepotomac.org/www/MADWeek.html
jmitchellf@yahoo.com
m. 703.989.7369
Hello all - A gentle reminder that SummerTunes 2011 - Saturday, July 23 - 10 am until.... is in two weeks. Alex and I are hoping you can come join us for another splendid day of making music together. The registration form is posted on the MMFAC website- www.contradancers.com/mmfac/. Do let us know if you are planning on attending so we know how many SummerTunes tunebooks to order.
Information: http://www.contradancers.com/mmfac/, or contact Liz Donaldson - liz@us.net or (301) 986-1291 or Alexander Mitchell Fiddlemuse@yahoo.com or (240) 344-7806.
Thanks. Liz
