Janell Leach, 40, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away Saturday, September 26, 2020. She was born October 20, 1979 in Fayetteville to Greg Leach and Peggy McElhaney Leach.
She was preceded in death by grandparents, Hartzel “Bud” and Theoma Leach and Doris and Clatis McElhaney; aunt, Karen Lowery; and uncles, Gary McElhaney and Don Drury.
Janell is survived by her sons, Brighton and Owen McClelland (The “McClelland Boys”); her father, Greg Leach; mother, Peggy Leach; brother, Gregory Leach; sister, Amy Hall and husband, Jeff; brother, Matthew Leach; sister, Rachel Leach; nieces, Reagan and Brynlee Hall; nephew, Caleb Hall; grandmother, Virginia McElhaney; uncles, David Leach, Robert Leach and Paul Lowery; aunts, Linda Calico, Ruby Clark, Susan Drury and Cathy Gaddy; and many cherished cousins.
She was a loving mother, daughter and friend. A bright, joyful soul who wanted nothing more than to provide a happy memory-filled life for her boys. She was taken from this life too soon.
A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at Beard’s Funeral Chapel in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
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A GoFundMe account has been established for her two sons, Brighton and Owen. Here is the link- https://gf.me/u/y3ba6y
Thank you on behalf of her family.
I had the great privilege of being a colleague and friend to Janell. She brought so much joy and passion to the work. There was always a smile on her face and a willing attitude to do what needed to be done. We shared many laughs together and she was always there to help us see the bright side of things. I will never forget the chance I had to work alongside her and our other partner in crime, Aziz.
Janell, the lessons you taught and the example you gave will stay with me. This is not goodbye my friend. I know I will see you again someday. My prayers are with your family.
Janell was a treasured member of the W. P. Carey School of Business family at ASU. First as staff, then student, then alumna. We are collectively grieving her loss and a life ended far too soon. Our deepest sympathy for all her family and friends. We’re at a loss of what we can do to help, so please let us know if there’s a college fund or any way we can help her boys Brighton and Owen.
I agree, Janell was taken from this world way too soon. My heart, love and prayers go out to the family.
I have no words to express the shock and emotions I’m feeling right now. Janell would always pop in mind at the holidays when we would be together at Grandmas, and how I wished she was here. She will truly be missed, but never forgotten. Thoughts and prayers to Peggy and Greg, family and friends.
I’m so sorry to learn of this. Janell was in my student in anatomy and physiology class. She was quiet and had an excellent work ethic. I thought she was pretty then, but her picture is just beautiful. I remember this class quite well since my daughter was also in that class. My heartfelt prayers go out to her sons and all the family.
Janell and I were both international advocates at ASU, forging ahead in new roles we each were creating. We had monthly lunches, during which we talked about our travels, our dreams, our similarly-aged children. Janell was my friend, a bright light, a champion, a bon vivant. I am devastated. May she rest in peace and may her sons know how deeply she loved them.
Wow. This is truly devastating to hear. My son was in kindergarten with hers and every time we passed on campus when she works at ASU, she made me smile. My deepest condolences to her family and children – what a heartbreaking loss for everyone who knew her.
I am truly sorry for the loss of Janell. She had such style and grace and she loved her boys with every fiber of her soul. She will be missed.
I met Janell when I was applying for jobs at ASU. I was struck by the fact that although she barely knew me, a stranger, she took the time to have coffee, review my resume, and share it with some contacts in international ed. When I was hired at W. P. Carey and shared the news with her, she was truly delighted and celebrated with me. She was a delightful, encouraging person who will be dearly missed. My prayers to her family, especially the precious boys.
Janell brought so much beauty to everyday life. She was a kind soul, strong woman, loving mom, and amazing professional. I loved working with Janell. Her energy was contagious. I’ll remember Janell for so many things, but most of all, her positive spirit and generous heart. Your ASU family will miss you, Janell.
My deepest and sincerest sympathy to her parents, her boys, her family and friends.
I am so glad I had the opportunity to get to know her. She always made me smile. She will be missed.
Janell, my dear friend, supervisor and mentor.
You believed in me and gave me my first job in the U.S and at ASU. I can’t believe you are gone. I will miss your kind soul and encouraging words.
Rest well friend.
I only knew Janell briefly as we worked in the same office when I was a student at ASU. Although I didn’t know much about her personal life, she SHINED in the office! From her beautiful outfits to how well spoken and professional she was. I always looked up to her for it. Her family will be in my thoughts as I knew she had two young boys.
Peggy, Greg, Amy and families, I am so very sorry for your loss. Sending you many thoughts and prayers. My prayer is that your precious memories will bring you much comfort during this difficult time!
I worked with Janell at ASU CPDS and always admired her vast knowledge, sunny disposition and lovely presence. She was such a beautiful soul and will be deeply missed and her loss will be grieved by the countless number of people she touched. We love and miss you Janell.
I am truly hurt tonight to learn of this great loss. Janell was a classmate of mine at Cabot High School. She was kind, considerate, and funny. I have not had the privilege of staying in contact with her, but I do have many happy memories of her. As a mother, my heart is torn for her sons. Please know that you are in my prayers today and in the days ahead.
My deepest condolences to Janell’s family and friends. Janell was great person who had a positive attitude.
I am saddened, shocked, and praying to her family.
I’m so very sorry for your loss. I don’t know Janell but she and the family has been on my heart since the tragedy. What a beautiful lady. God bless and keep you all.
Words cannot express the sadness of knowing I’ll never get to see you again, dear friend. You were such a ray of light and positivity! It was an honor to work alongside you and even greater blessing to call you friend. You touched so many lives! We will never forget you! My prayers and deepest condolences to your sweet little men. Brighton and Owen, know how much your mom was loved. And know how much that love extends to each of you. May she Rest In Peace ♥️
Janell and I shared an office for a year as recruiters at ASU. She lit up every room she entered, was quick to laugh and smile and got a lot of joy from her work and her colleagues.
She was always striving for the next big thing, whether it was traveling, new jobs, a new degree, or even in love and starting a family.
She was a devoted mother and her boys were the true loves of her life.
We hadn’t spoken lately but every time we got together it was if no time had passed and she was always excited about what she was doing and her family’s adventures.
I will miss her smile and easy laugh, her sense of style and her endless optimism. She was a cheerleader for anyone following their passion and lived her life following her dreams.
My deepest condolences to her family and her boys.
My deepest sympathies to Janell’s family. She had a light within her that was so bright that it lit up the lives off all who were privileged enough to know her. She will be deeply missed.
Janell was one of my best friends in high school. There was a group of us that were together all the time. She was the one that was constantly making us laugh. She was full of life. Prayers for her family and her boys. She will be missed!
I knew Janell through Tempe Leadership and has the pleasure of watching her transform from a pregnant girl wondering about her next steps to a true leader with two sons she adored and an energy like you’ve never seen. I know our class will always remember her for her transition and her tenacity – completing the class and jumping into a new life with both feet! I am sure Tempe Leadership alumni would want help continue her legacy for Brighton and Owen.
Sending my heartfelt prayers to Janell’s boys, family and dear friends, I am so very sorry for your loss. Janell was one of those truly special souls you rarely meet, she was pure sunshine and I am so sorry this world doesn’t continue to have her here on earth.
I had the privilege of working with Janell over the past two years. Janell was an incredible woman. She brought so much creativity and positive energy to our organization. I always looked forward to my weekly one on one calls with her as she simply enriched my life with her enthusiasm for process improvements at work and in life. She would light up any room that she walked into and was such an engaging communicator. Our team learned so much from Janell and will carry those gifts with us at work and with our families. We miss you Janell.
Our hearts are heavy. Janell and I worked together recruiting MBA candidates for our advisory consulting organization. She was always positive, bright and cheerful. When we met up at campus recruiting events, she would talk about how difficult it was to be away from her boys. I was always eager to hear her stories of how she would make plans for fun trips or activities with her family. We will take some of her sunshine forward and will miss her dearly
Extending our thoughts, prayers, love, and support to all family and friends.
Janell was probably one of the most genuine people I have had the opportunity to meet. We were colleagues at ASU the thing I will remember most about her is how much she loved her boys. It was clear what an amazing mom she was. I am deeply saddened for her boys, her family and friends. I know her amazing light and spirit will be deeply missed by all who had the chance to meet her. This world lost something truly special far too soon.
I am so saddened to hear of Janell’s sudden passing. She was undeniably warm, positive, passionate and full of love. My thoughts are with her sons and family.
Janell’s bright light was amazing. Her love ran deep for everyone. She was always so kind and could turn any dark day into a bright and sunny one.
She impacted so many people and always was so encouraging. I will miss her bubbly personality and how she radiated joy.
She loved her boys to her core, everything she did was for them. She was such a fantastic mother.
The entire family is in my prayers during this difficult time.
I want to say that even though Janell wasn’t around much when she was growing up . We enjoyed so much when they could visit. She was always smiling and the few times I saw her after she moved to Arizona
I was so proud of her. I am in shock about losing her at such a young age. My heart goes out to Peggy and the rest of the family to loose a child has to be the worst feeling ever. She will shine in heaven even more than she did on earth. Love and miss all of my nieces and nephews. Love Aunt Ruby
Janell was a ray of sunshine as a student in our MBA program. It was a pleasure to know her as a student and employee. My heart and prayers go out to her family.
So sorry to hear this news. Please receive my condolences during this difficult time.
Peggy and Greg my deepest sympathy to you both and your families. My love, thoughts, and prayers to you all.
My deepest sympathies to her entire family. I had the joy of meeting her during her MBA program and she was always such a bright and positive force with everyone. We are all better off by virtue of having known her.
Janell and I worked together in the Admissions Office @ ASU. I was a clueless 22 year old who sat in the cubicle next to her. She took me under her wing, was always very patient with me, and was quick with a joke or a smile to brighten the mood. I am saddened by her loss. Praying for comfort and peace for her boys and family.
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for her boys and the rest of her family.
O my sweet Peggy, I am so very sorry to hear about the loss of your beautiful angel. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Peggy, We are So Sorry to here this.
Know that we are keeping in touch.
We Love You, Praying for You!
Greg and Peggy, I’m so sorry for your loss. Keeping you in our prayers.
I only remember Janel as a little toddler, but she was full of life with a sweet smile Many hugs and prayers for her family, Peggy and Greg. My heart goes out to you all.
It’s indeed so shock and sad to hear Janell is no longer with us, a brilliant life taken away too sudden and too early. I have known Janelle for three years as a colleague. When she was the associate director of ASU career center, she initiated a series of focus groups among Chinese international students, in hoping to assist them to find jobs in the US or back in China after getting their asu degrees. her passion and hard work shined though the students’ lives she touched and helped. we last contacted each other ~2 years ago after she left asu.
i’ll forever remember her bright smile and beautiful mind, and sending my condolence to her family who suffer such a painful loss…
Prayers for You, Peggy.
So Sorry!
You have my sincere condolences on the loss of your Janell.
So sorry for your loss, prayers for peace and comfort for your family
Always positive, always respectful, full of joy, smart, selfless and incredibly personable are just a few of the things that made her so special to all of us. We were very fortunate the work with Janell in support of international student initiatives at ASU, she was the beating heart of our group, she so gracefully kept us focused and excited about working together. It was always a joy to work with her.
We will miss you dearly, Janell. Until we meet again.
My heartfelt condolences to your family.
My condolences to Janell’s family, especially her boys. I had the pleasure of working closely with Janell at Cognizant really since she started working here. She was a friend, not just a colleague. Every interaction – virtual or in person – left a mark. Janell had such a bright light, and has touched so many people for the better. Her joy and warmth were infectious. I specifically remember talking to her (on video) during the road trip and telling her that she was glowing and looked happier than I had ever seen her (and that’s saying a lot because she always seemed happy!). Janell always made time to ask how I was doing, and had such a positive outlook. I will miss her very much. I know none of you know me personally, but if there is ever anything I can do please do not hesitate to reach out. I love children (have 5 of my own), homeschool and spent many happy moments chatting about both with Janell. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
A wonderful soul gone too soon. My deepest sympathy to Janell’s family and friends.
I always enjoyed working with her. She will be missed.
I always enjoyed working with her. She was a great collaborator and coworker.
I want to say that even though Janell wasn’t around much when she was growing up . We enjoyed so much when they could visit. She was always smiling and the few times I saw her after she moved to Arizona
I was so proud of her. I am in shock about losing her at such a young age. My heart goes out to Peggy and the rest of the family to loose a child has to be the worst feeling ever. She will shine in heaven even more than she did on earth. Love and miss all of my nieces and nephews. Love Aunt Ruby
I am so thankful that Janell was in my life. She was my employee and my friend. She would often reach out to me unexpectedly to share something she had learned, to thank me for something, or to ask for a recommendation for her next adventure. Writing letters of recommendation for Janell was always easy because she was truly one of a kind and I could honestly tell people that they would never regret their decision to add Janell to their team.
I can only imagine Janell delightfully styling her new angel wings and having wonderful conversations with the other angels that were taken from this life way too soon.
A bright light has passed out of our sight. I always expected that twenty years from now someone would tell me that Janell was serving as a United States Ambassador or even Senator. Hearing instead of her passing I feel profound loss at all that might have been and I applaud her for having lived such a rich and exemplary life in the short time given to her.
I met Janell as a young professional at Arizona State University. I never asked for a mentor, but the universe told me I needed a mentor and that it needed to be Janell.
I thank Janell for being a ray of sunshine for me and for so many others. I will miss Janell’s joy, smile, tenacity, style, compassion, creativity, intellect, and grace. Thank you to Janell for being my mentor and also being a great colleague. I will forever be grateful.
I am praying for Brighton, Owen, and the rest of the family. May Janell always be the shining star in the sky reminding us all that you are watching over us and cheering us on from above. We will miss you dearly.
Peggy & family,
To let you know that warmest thoughts are with you.
With deepest sympathy to you and your family in this
time of sorrow. Rita Sharp
From all of the comments it’s very apparent this beautiful daughter/mother was loved and respected. Peggy, she looks like you. I’m so very sorry for this loss in your family, in your heart. My prayers go out to you.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
TSA-XNA
I had the privilege of having Janell as a student in two of her MBA classes. What most impressed me was her optimism, intellectual curiosity, and desire to grow and develop. Her bucket list of things she wanted to accomplish in her life was uplifting and filled with promise, and she already accomplished several of her dreams. I will never forget her love for life and her children.
Janell had one of the most beautiful spirits I’ve known and it is hard to imagine her not with us. Although we met through work (she was my recruiting contact for Cognizant), every conversation felt like a reconnection between old friends. We talked about life, children, and everything else and my heart breaks that she is gone. My condolences to all her loved ones and especially her boys – I am so sorry for your loss. Janell’s was light and joy and she will be so missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I interned this summer at Cognizant and was fortunate to have Janell as one of my one point of contact. Janell helped me a lot throughout my onboarding process and final presentation week. She is the nicest person I’ve ever seen. She was always there when I needed her help and cheered me up when I stuck in tough choices. She will always stay alive vividly in my mind. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family.
Prayers go out to all the family and Janell’s children. I am grieving at this time. May God Bless you all during this time.
Janell and I have been friends since she worked at the University of Arkansas in Pre-College Programs/Educational Talent Search. We worked together, traveled together, and developed a sweet and lasting friendship over the years. I’m stunned by her loss and heartbroken for her boys and grieving family. I will always remember Janell’s passion for travel, kind heart, and positive energy. Sincere condolences to the family in the loss of this sweet soul. Your beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and mother made a lasting impact in this world for good. She will be missed and remembered with love.
I feel privileged and blessed to have known Janell. She was my supervisor and colleague and we worked together for almost two years. I looked forward to our calls and chats as she was always super positive and very energetic no matter what the day brought. I’ll always remember her big smile, light in her eyes and loving demeanor. Janell will be missed! I’m very sorry for your loss. Please accept my sincere condolences.
I was greatly saddened to hear the news of Janell’s passing. I got to know Janell very well over the past 2 years in her role as Cognizant’s campus recruiter for the MBA students at Georgetown University. Janell was always very kind to the MBA students. She also enjoyed sightseeing in DC for a day or so each time she visited campus and we spoke alot during each of her visits about things to do in DC. I want to extend my deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to her family on behalf of the entire MBA community at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business.
Dear Peggy, Greg, and family,
I am so very sorry for this tragic loss of your beautiful daughter. I will continue to hold you in my prayers.
Love,
Karin
Janell was such a special person and those that knew her will never forget her. The service reflected her spirit and all that she meant to her loved ones. Sending love and prayers to her boys, her family, her friends, and her coworkers past and present both now and for years to come.
I am so sorry to hear about Janell’s passing. I worked at ASU and when I first met Janell at the Career Services office, she was so welcoming to me. She was so fun to work with and always put a smile on my face with her positive attitude. When we planned an “etiquette lunch” for the international students career workshop, she had so much fun with it and the students really enjoyed it. Later when I would see her on campus, she would always ask how I was doing. She cared about people in a genuine way, and it really showed. I hope to carry on her positive attitude and her love of working with students in my own work. I hope her family can know how much she was loved and appreciated by all who knew her.
I’m sorry about her death. I feel bad for losing connection with my family. Just found out or I would of been there
I knew Janell. She was a bright, sweet and positive soul. May her children remember always as a beacon of hope and light. Deepest Sympathy.
my momy