Mary Leah Hope Reece

Mary Leah Hope Reece, 27, formerly of Boone, Asheville and most recently Columbus, Ohio, passed peacefully in her sleep on October 24, 2025.

Mary Leah was born Oct. 2, 1998 in Asheville. She lived in Boone for the majority of her life, first with her mother Elizabeth, then with her sisters, Lydia and Anna, both of whom she admired greatly. She was a 2017 graduate of Watauga High School, where she found her niche as a theater kid, performing in several productions and singing in choral groups. She was a great lover of all things theatrical and musical, and these passions would follow her for life, as would her love for travel and a deep appreciation for nature and her furry friends.

Like the rest of her family, Mary Leah had a love for all things whimsical and fantastic. She moved with a dance in her step, a song in her heart, and a little bit of magic up her sleeve. She always remained young at heart, and her compassionate nature resonated with those around her, including those she served during her time as an aide at the Marjorie McCune Assisted & Independent Living Community in Black Mountain. In her words, she was living her life, “looking for fulfillment, not just filling my pockets.”

A true Gryffindor, Mary Leah lived her life with courage, loyalty and determination. This was especially true during life’s hardest moments. For most of her life, Mary Leah faced ongoing challenges from epilepsy. Even amidst a difficult extended stay at Duke Hospital in 2024 to study and correct her condition, she maintained a strong positive outlook and hope for brighter days ahead, as well as a strong sense of gratitude for the support of her family and friends.

Mary Leah is survived by her parents, Tony Reece and Elizabeth Saarela (Jeff); her grandmother, Willie Forester and her grandfather, James Forester; her sisters, Anna Reece (Jessica) and Lydia Reece; her partner, Alex Dodds and his mother, Onita Dodds; and her dog, Rosie. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Earl and Mary Louise Reece.

A celebration of Mary Leah’s life will be held Sunday, November 2 from 3-5 p.m. in the Johnson Fireplace Lounge of the Kanuga Conference Center, located at 471 Kanuga Chapel Drive in Hendersonville. Friends are invited to share a meal with the family afterward, and details will be shared during the ceremony. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Mountain Alliance in Mary Leah's memory at www.mountainalliance.org/supporters. She is deeply loved, now and always. What an honor to share life and experience with this exceptional creature.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Leah Hope Reece, please visit our flower store.