Loa Mae Gertrude Leland

Loa Mae Gertrude Leland (née Carter), beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on August 19, 2026, in Sylvania Township, Ohio, the city where she spent majority of her remarkable ninety years. Born on May 6, 1936, in Toledo, Loa Mae lived a life marked by humor, devotion, and an unwavering commitment to her family.

Loa Mae was known for her extraordinary sense of humor and her playful spirit—she never acted her age, especially around her grandchildren. Her home was always filled with laughter, warmth, and an open door for friends and neighborhood children alike; to her, everyone was family. Though she could come across as tough—and liked it that way—those who knew her soon discovered a heart full of kindness and generosity.

She lived with a steadfastness in her beliefs and ways, a pillar of strength for her family and loved ones. Loa Mae was fiercely family oriented. Her pride knew no bounds when it came to her husband, her children, and her extended family; in her eyes, they could do no wrong. She supported her husband and children through every endeavor and challenge, demonstrating a love that was unwavering and all-encompassing.

Throughout her life, Loa Mae worked hard both within her home and at various jobs outside of it. She cherished her roles as wife, mother, and grandmother above all. Yet, she still found fulfillment in entrepreneurial activities, selling Avon, Tupperware, and Lisa Jewelry to friends and neighbors. Loa Mae’s talents and industriousness were also evident in her love for crafts; she devoted countless hours to cooking, creating blankets and sewing special keepsakes. It was her enduring tradition that everyone would receive a homemade blanket—a testament to her care and creativity.

Family gatherings and simple moments were precious to Loa Mae. She was the proud matriarch of a large and loving family. Left to cherish her memory are her children Jack Leland, Nick Leland and wife Melanie, John Leland, Jody Leland, Paul Leland, and Jeniffer Branam and husband Jasper; son-in-law Matt Barocsi, and her twenty-one beloved grandchildren, twenty-four great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by her sisters Ellen Grove, Betty Majdecki, and Bea Kay Hinshaw and husband Dave; her brother Richard Carter; and her brother-in-law Bill Szabo and a host of nieces, nephews, and other loving close friends. 

Loa Mae is reunited in peace with those who passed before her: her husband Jack Leland, her step-daughter Donna Barocsi, her son William Russell Leland, her grandson Tyler Branam, and her grandson Michael Barocsi. Their memories remain a treasured legacy.

All who knew Loa Mae Gertrude Leland will remember her resilience, the laughter she shared, the warmth of her hospitality, and, above all, her deep and abiding love for her family and friends.  Her life has left an indelible mark on everyone she touched.

A visitation will be held on August 26, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home, Northwest Toledo, 4150 W Laskey Rd, Toledo, OH 43623. Funeral services will be conducted at the same location on August 27, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., followed by a graveside service at Toledo Memorial Park, 6382 Monroe St, Sylvania, OH 43560, at 12:30 p.m.

Loa Mae’s legacy will live on in the hearts and memories of all who loved her.