Elaine Sylvia (Peck) Leatham, 72

Elaine Sylvia (Peck) Leatham, 72, of Raymond, N.H., formerly of Merrimac and Haverhill, passed peacefully Thursday morning, Oct. 27, at Merrimack Valley Hospice House in Haverhill, surrounded by her family.

Born in Haverhill, Jan. 6, 1944, she was one of three children of the late Edson and Virginia (Currier) Peck and had attended Pentucket Regional High School. In 1965, at the young age of 21, she met the love of her life, Robert P. Leatham. They married in 1971 and went on to raise her only daughter, Sandra. She enjoyed nothing better than attending family get-togethers for special occasions like birthdays, holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas, or just for the fun of it. As much as she loved her family, she had a real passion for animals, especially for cats. She was totally taken by her own two cats, Samantha and Frankie, but also opened her porch to two feral cats, making sure they had food, water and shelter from the elements when needed. Her loving, nurturing ways will always be remembered by all who knew her.

In addition to her husband and best friend, Robert, of Raymond, N.H., she leaves her grandson, Brandon Wagoner and wife Shannon of Tennessee, and her great-grandson, Derek Wagoner of Tennessee; brother, Charles Peck of Haverhill; sister, Sharon Benjamin and husband Arthur of Merrimac; son-in-law, John Wagoner; and aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members and dear friends. She was predeceased by her daughter, Sandra Wagoner and her granddaughter, Jennifer Carr.

A memorial service takes place at Epping Bible Church, 243 Pleasant St., Epping, N.H., Saturday, Nov. 12, at 10 a.m. Private burial takes place at Locust Grove Cemetery, Merrimac. Donations in her memory may be made to the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society, 63 Elm Street, Salisbury, MA 01952 or the MSPCA Nevins Farm, 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01843. Arrangements are by Paul C. Rogers Family Funeral Home, 36 West Main Street, Merrimac.