Leigh K Vierstra

On Sunday, September 29, 2024 Leigh K Vierstra (age 41) of Madison, Wisconsin, passed peacefully from this world. Leigh was surrounded by loved ones during a vibrant autumn sunset - and is greatly missed.

In these quiet moments of reflection, the pain of losing Leigh is immense. Her wide path captured the essence of a life well lived with purpose and joy. She was a beloved daughter, sister, auntie and cousin, an adventurer and lifelong learner, a teacher and rabble rouser, a stylish dresser who loved her shoes, and an organizer and fundraiser. To all lucky enough to know Leigh, she was a force to be reckoned with, and most of all she was a good friend. In fact, if you were a friend of Leigh’s you were friends for life wherever you lived. You could expect a drop-in from her at any time and place (regardless of state, country or continent!), and Leigh’s door was always open. While some count their lives in minutes, hours and years, Leigh counted hers in miles, experiences and friends. To these goals, Leigh clearly succeeded.

Leigh was born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin, and attended Madison West High School, University of Missouri, UW-Madison, and Edgewood College. Her early life was greatly influenced by the loss of her mother, Karen Molony, to ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) but also by strong and supportive friends and family including grandparents, her beloved siblings (Jeff, Erin and Rachel), teachers, and of course her dad, Rick. Heid joined the Vierstra clan when Leigh was seven and built a close bond, eventually earning the title of “Mom’ after many years. When Rachel entered the scene, she was a beloved little sister and friend for whom Leigh had endless advice on friendships, TV shows and shoes. 

After graduation from UW-Madison, Leigh was looking for adventure so she signed on with World Teach and headed to the remote Marshall Islands to teach English. Upon her return to the US Leigh embraced her roles as teacher, mentor and leader at East High School in Madison. She was a tireless advocate for education and for her students - always looking for ways to inspire, entertain and to improve as a teacher, and always keeping her “kids” best interests first. In her last years, Leigh stepped into a new role with Madison Metropolitan School District ( MMSD) as Supervisor of Innovation and Improvement where she applied her creative, intellectual and organizational skills to numerous innovation projects throughout MMSD. A favorite was a program to teach barbering whose success led to similar career programs throughout MMSD.

Again, looking to challenge herself, Leigh decided to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Kenya. There, she immersed herself in the Kenyan educational system, discovered PA-MOJA (then Project Kenya Sister Schools), and remained committed to Kenya and PA-MOJA for more than 10 years. Leigh served as a member of the PA-MOJA Board and was most proud of spearheading the PA-MOJA student exchange program where groups of students and teachers from East High School traveled to Kenya to work alongside and learn from their Kenyan peers. To assure that the trips were accessible to all, she and her team of students raised funds for the entire trip - no small feat. 

Leigh embodied the spirit of community, gracefully weaving together friendships, student mentorship, and passionate advocacy for various causes. She celebrated successes and actively supported students, offering guidance to those navigating their own paths in life. Leigh organized many fundraising events, channeling her interests into meaningful contributions that benefited others. Her home served as a sanctuary for gatherings, where food and wine, laughter and camaraderie filled the air. Holiday and family traditions (Friendsgiving, Cider Pressing) were celebrated in a vibrant tapestry of culture and connection. During the COVID pandemic the ‘Dinner Group’ was born and weekly theme-based ‘gourmet’ meals at Leigh’s home created a tight group of supportive friends. Food, wine, friends and laughter were foods for Leigh’s soul. 

More recently, Leigh began showing early signs of progressive ALS but she was determined to continue living her life to its fullest. Leigh was an active advocate for ALS research, speaking at the Project ALS Gala in NYC, and hosting a lovely fundraising dinner in mid-October in Madison. This winter, Leigh was poised for an adventure that reflected her continued zest for exploration. Having traveled extensively and nurturing a love for diverse experiences, she was set to visit her final continent: a trip to Antarctica. Through her journeys, Leigh not only broadened her own horizons but also inspired those around her to embrace the world with open hearts and open minds, leaving an indelible mark on everyone she encountered.

Leigh was preceded in death by her mother Karen Molony-Vierstra, grandparents Bernie and Sally Vierstra, Paul and Maggie Molony, and Rod and Audrey Engelen, in addition to her dear sister Erin Vierstra. She is survived by her parents Rick and Heidi Vierstra, and siblings Jeff (Evelyn) and Rachel (partner Loranzie Rogers), as well as beloved cousins, aunts and uncles.

We would like to acknowledge the “Dinner Group” and Leigh’s many close friends who have laughed and celebrated and supported each other and Leigh over all her years. You have also enhanced our lives and we know Leigh’s joy will live on through yours. 

A celebration of Leigh’s beautiful life will be held on Friday November 1, 2024, at the Park Hotel in Madison at 6pm.  

If you would like to honor Leigh and the programs that she deeply cared about, please consider donating to:

Pa Moja : https://pa-moja.com/leigh-vierstra/

Project ALS: bit.ly/leigh-projectals

Madison Foundation for Public Schools: 

https://schoolsmakemadison.org/donate/funds/honoring-leigh-vierstra/