Barre, VT Judith Leigh Howard, known as JLeigh, of Barre, passed into heaven with peace and love surrounded by her family and friends on March 16, 2015 at the Central Vermont Medical Center. JLeigh was born on February 21, 1972 in Berlin, Vermont. She attended Barre City Schools for most of her childhood, graduating from South Burlington High School in 1990. In 1997, she graduated from Johnson State College summa cum laude with degrees in both Studio Art and Education. Also, at the time of her graduation, she received the Community Service Award. Her professional career consisted of many interesting jobs including AmeriCorps and Habitat for Humanity. Many may remember her from Desso's Store in Jericho or the Meadow Mart in Montpelier. She was employed by IBM in Essex Junction for 12 years and recently found her life's calling by establishing JLeigh's Childcare in Barre. Gardening, art, hiking (completing the Long Trail), camping, crafts and spending time with nieces and nephews were a few of her interests and hobbies. She was especially proud of her family genealogy and affiliation with the Vermont Society of Mayflower Descendants. JLeigh was very actively involved in the Green Mountain Pug Rescue program. She is survived by her father Jeffrey K. Howard and his wife Pamela, her beloved grandmother Virgina K. Howard, sister Janet Tillou, brother Jonathan Howard,and extended family members Deborah, and Rebecca. Jleigh was blessed to have ten nieces and nephews Grady, Matthew, Evan, Madison, Joshua, Keira, Gavin, Will, Jamie, and Abby. She is also survived by uncles Patrick, Glenn, Bruce, a great-aunt Betty, aunts Jean, Carol, Sharon, Sandy and cousins Ashley, Ben, Meikel, Courtney, Meg, Drew, Stacey, and Misty. A special Pug dog named "JoLee" will miss her greatly. JLeigh was predeceased by her mother Kay O'Brien, maternal grandparents, aunt, uncles and special paternal grandfather. The family wishes to express our deepest gratitude for the exceptional care given to Jleigh by the physicians and staff of the ICU and the Med-Surg Units at the Central Vermont Medical Center. Doctor Eltabbakh, Georgia Eltabbakh and the staff at the Lake Champlain Gynecologic Oncology in South Burlington will always have a special place in our hearts for the treatment and support given to Jleigh over the last thirteen years. A celebration of JLeigh's life will be held on May 29, 2015 at 2:00 PM at the Guare and Sons Funeral Home, 30 School Street in Montpelier. VT. Condolences may be left on the Guare Web Site. Contributions in JLeigh's name can be made to any of the following: Lotus Lake Camp Scholarship Fund, 4785 VT RT 14, Williamstown, VT 05679; Green Mountain Pug Rescue, C/O Phil Douglas Treasurer, 283 Town Line Road, Mendon, VT 05701; or Lamoille Area Cancer Network, 198 Farr Avenue, Morrisville, VT 05661.