Mary Leigh Mann-Fluharty
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My beautiful courageous wife Leigh sadly lost her 9-year battle with cancer on the afternoon of Dec 4, 2020. Myself and her lifelong friend Leslie Harrison were able to be with her holding her as she passed. She fought cancer the way she tackled life, head on and 1000%. When she worked at her jobs it was always a 10-to-14-hour day. Everyday! We worked at the same place for a while and I would often go home after my 8-to-10-hour day only to come back later in the evening to pick her up when she was done. She refused to only half know something and was an expert at almost everything she ever did. She always called herself the Queen of useless knowledge and believe me, you wanted her for your Trivial Pursuit partner. When she learned about her cancer diagnosis, she learned all she could about Cervical Cancer. When we saw the Drs, she always knew the correct questions to ask. So much so there were times the doctors wondered if we were in the medical field. She was just like her father in this respect and was always one of the most educated patients her doctors would encounter. We were extremely fortunate to become friends with a few wonderful doctors and nurses and I really think that Leigh's commitment to knowing what was going on with her contributed a large part to having them in our personal lives as well. I'm forever grateful for those people too. Especially these last two weeks to help me understand what is happening in a Covid world where we aren't allowed to be at our loved one's side until the very end.
Leigh was born in Williamsburg VA in March 1973. She spent her early years growing up in Williamsburg before moving to Greensboro NC in the early 1980's. The mountains, crisp air, and falling leaves were where her spirit soared. She didn't know it yet but her future husband was on her school bus in 1985-1986. She finished High School and worked at several places in Greensboro, all restaurants. Even owning her own restaurant in Greensboro called The Cajun Lady and spent the next 10 years in Greensboro tending bar for J Butlers on New Garden Rd. In 2010 Leigh married Rich Fluharty and moved to a suburb of Indianapolis IN where she went to work at the same place Rich did, Comlux, where Leigh ran the parts department. She left Comlux in 2014 and went to Republic Airlines where she also worked in their parts department and is still employed there as she has been on long term medical leave.
Leigh is survived by the love of her life Rich Fluharty, stepchildren, Logan Fluharty with Sawyer Skelton, Kyle Fluharty, Madeline and Steven Kay. Stepmother Carol Mann and sister Susan and Nick Woloszyn, Niece Alex Woloszyn, Aunt Betty Mann Burke, cousins Jamie and Lisa Burke and their daughters Mia and Ava, Scott and Cindy Sanders, Beth and Tony Zambella. Mother-in-law Eileen McNeill and sister-in-law Suzanne and Ryan Lindley. Leigh was preceded by her parent's Dr Joe Allen Mann, Mary Elizabeth Moran Mann. Her forgiving sprit will also be remembered by her many many social media friends and family. There are too many to name here, but you all are just as important and some of you became very close to Leigh. She told me of many of you and I know she will be missed by untold numbers.....
In lieu of flowers please donate in Leigh's honor to either the Foundation for Women's Cancer, #EndWomensCancer, Checks made payable to:
Society for Gynecologic Oncology 26533 Network Place Chicago IL, 60676-1286
Feel free to also donate to Leighs other passion, your local animal shelter or rescue. Leigh worked as a rescue volunteer for several years and would also love to see them receive any assistance possible.
Until we meet again my love, be free of pain and smile as you fly on the winds of heaven!https://www.indianamemorial.com/obituary/Mary-Mann-Fluharty