Leah Therese Derr

Leah Therese Derr, 35, passed away at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, on Sunday, December 25, 2022 with her loving family by her side after a brief illness. 

She was born in Worcester, MA on December 10, 1987, daughter of Patrick and Christine (Peterson) Derr. She was raised and made her life in Worcester, where she graduated from Leicester High School and Clark University.

Leah devoted herself to the loving care of her three children, who she leaves behind: Avery Derr, 17, Alana Derr, 15, and Mario DiGioia III, 2. She is survived by her parents Patrick and Christine Derr of Worcester; her partner Mario DiGioia of Worcester; her nine siblings, Michael Derr of Holden and his wife Ling, Aaron Derr of Worcester and his wife Melissa, Fred Elliot of Bridgewater, CT, Noah Derr of Madrid, Spain, Catherine Zementowski of Worcester, Rachel Cruz of Worcester and her husband Abner, Gabriel Derr of Worcester and his wife Elana, Jacob Derr of Sneads Ferry, NC, and his wife Rebecca, Naomi Derr of Merrimack, NH and her fiancé Nicholas; her eighteen nieces and nephews, who all adored her, Talyse Henning, Gwyneth Rutan, Ella Zementowski, Juliana Derr, Demetris Elliot, Abner Cruz Jr., Patrick Derr, Adam Zementowski, Ava Derr, Reina Cruz, Gabriel Cruz, Christopher Derr, Madeline Derr, Aksel Derr, Samantha Cruz, Noah Cruz, Jaxon Peters, and Aria Derr; and her many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Leah was a parishioner at Christ the King parish in Worcester. Her life was full of joy, excitement and enthusiasm, but above all, love. She was devoted to the care of others, particularly the less advantaged. She understood, accepted and applauded others who struggled with challenges, not judging but relating and encouraging them in their life journey. We loved her as our daughter, mother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend and she, in turn, loved each of us despite our imperfections. We will miss her forever.

Leah held many jobs during and after college but found her calling serving her community as a case management supervisor at Veterans, Inc., whose mission is to serve veterans and their families by providing holistic supportive services, including housing, employment and training, case management, food security, health and wellness, family support programs, and child care services.  She will be dearly missed by the staff and community at Veterans, Inc.

The family would like to thank the Intensive Care and Life Flight teams at UMass Memorial Hospital and Brigham & Women’s Hospital who cared for Leah during her final days.

Calling hours will be Sunday, January 1, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster Street in Worcester, with a funeral Mass celebrated Monday, January 2, at 11 a.m. in Christ the King Church, 1052 Pleasant St., Worcester. A private burial will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Veterans Inc. or to a charity of your choice.