Obituary of Elizabeth Leaman

The daughter of Dorothy and John Preble, Elizabeth grew up in Jamaica Plain, MA. After attending the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Elizabeth moved to New York City. She was employed as an executive secretary by the firm Young and Rubicam. Elizabeth married Dr. John Leaman on May 25, 1957. She left Young and Rubicam to start a family. When Dr. Leaman's ophthalmology practice moved to NJ, the Leamans relocated to Glen Ridge. During this time, she developed an interest in breeding Welsh Terriers. She became an integral part of the dog show world. She was very active in the Welsh Terrier Club of America, serving as president and on numerous committees. She was an active and prolific breeder of top-winning Welsh Terriers, under the Hapitails prefix. One of her dogs, Muddy (Bis Ch Hapitails Hit Parade) won best of breed at both the Montgomery County Kennel Club and the Westminster Dog Show. In addition to breeding and showing dogs, she was very involved in forming WTCARES, a rescue for Welsh Terriers, helping in the placement of many dogs. A woman of immense generosity, she supported many charitable and educational endeavors. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Dr. John C. Leaman, her sons, John C. Jr. of New York City and George Francis of Glen Ridge. She also leaves her sister, Margaret O'Connor of Boston, MA. Elizabeth Preble Leaman, 83, of Glen Ridge, passed away peacefully on Thursday August 22, 2013.