RIP Leah Siegel

I'm told by some of her friends that Leah would appreciate this, so here goes:

Leah, an ESPN producer/reporter for some 20 years, posted yesterday on her Facebook page that her time on this earth was winding down -- "Elvis might be leaving the building," she wrote, and noted she was probably down to just days or weeks.

If you don't know Leah -- and you probably crossed her path if you covered any possible sport or league over the last two decades -- she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer soon after giving birth to her third child a little less than two years ago.
Through Facebook, she allowed us to witness her treatment and valiant fight and funny moments with the kids and read about her fears and marvel at her extreme grace, so posting her imminent death and last goodbye on Facebook made sense. As her husband said, it's kind of like breaking up with someone via text. They've maintained their humor throughout it all.

This is Leah's CaringBridge page -- http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/leahsiegeldallas page -- if you'd like to leave her messages. She's still attempting to read them, or her husband reads them for her.
Someday her kids (ages 5, 3 and nearly 2) will be able to read about how their mother was a fire-cracker when it came to getting stories (just try to say no to her, Jerry Jones), and had far more dignity and smarts than most of the athletes she covered. She rarely complained if she was treated badly -- all she wanted was to get and perfect the story.
She's barely 43. My throat is in my mouth as I type.

 

Re: Leah Siegel

What a beautiful woman.

 

Re: Leah Siegel

My favorite aunt died of breast cancer last year and every time I read about this awful disease taking someone else away too soon, I just get a lump in my throat.

 

Re: Leah Siegel

Used to catch up with Leah when she was the producer for Ed Werder at NFL games. Always enjoyed her company. Fun, lively, energetic. This has been tragic from the start. I admire Leah's grace, charm and strength in the face of this terrible disease. I wish her and her family peace.

 

Re: Leah Siegel

Wow. This is a very inspiring story and tough woman.

 

Re: Leah Siegel

Keep Pounding, Leah.

And thanks for sharing this, gingerbread.

 

Re: Leah Siegel

I can't imagine being the spouse that has to type, 'the end is near.'

I can't imagine being the mother leaving her children.

Thanks, gb, for posting this. So very sad.

 

Re: Leah Siegel

I have nothing useful to add. My God.
May her husband and kids find peace.

 

Re: Leah Siegel

Heartbreaking.

 

Re: Leah Siegel

This almost brings me to tears.

I got to know Leah (little known fact: she's the daughter of legendary Washington D.C. sports columnist Mo Siegel) in Dallas in the late 1990s when I was covering the Cowboys for the Morning News, and she is indeed as spunky and tenacious and funny as described.

A truly wonderful person, and my heart goes out to her and her family.

Bart Hubbuch
New York Post

 

Re: Leah Siegel

heartbreaking, whether or not you know leah. the tears are flowing here.

that's all i've got, other thanks for the head's up, ginger.

 

Re: Leah Siegel

I had read a story about her in the Dallas Morning News probably about two years ago.

Three young kids. It's just devastating to even think about.