Annabelle Leah Uckert

Annabelle Leah Uckert, 67, of Emlenton, Scrubgrass Township, VenangoCounty, died at 2:40 p.m. Saturday, June 25, 2005, in her home afteran 18-month struggle with primary peritoneal cancer.Born Jan. 6, 1938, in New Kensington, she was the daughter of thelate Joseph R. and Marie V. Best Leah.She was a 1955 graduate of Arnold High School in Arnold.Mrs. Uckert had been employed as the fashion director of Ivy'sDepartment Store in Charlotte, N.C. She also had been a print, stageand television model.She was married June 30, 1973, at Rodgers Riviera to Dieter Uckert,who survives. They lived for almost 30 years in Pound Ridge, N.Y.,where she was an active volunteer in her community.She was involved with the Drug Abuse Prevention Council and was thefounding member of "Bridges," an adjunct support group. She served thecommunity children as president of the Pound Ridge PTA and thecommunity at large as an elected member of the Pound Ridge Town Board.Following her husband's retirement, the couple moved in 2001 fromPound Ridge to Emlenton. Here she found time to pursue her manyhobbies including painting, hiking, gardening, canoeing on theAllegheny River and gourmet cooking.Mrs. Uckert was a member of the Chapel on the Hill, Assembly of GodChurch, in Emlenton.Faced with her own mortality, she was able to fulfill her dream ofhosting a beautiful wedding for her son, Matthew, at the Chapel andalongside the Allegheny River where she found herself surrounded byfamily and friends. She will always be remembered for her contagioussmile, her generous spirit and her love for all, especially children.Surviving are two sons, Matthew J. Uckert and wife, Elizabeth Ann, ofWilmington, N.C., and Christopher L. Prevatt of Garden Grove, Calif.She also is survived by three brothers, Joseph E. Leah of Avonmore,Kenneth G. Leah of Vandergrift and David A. Leah of Irvine, Calif.;and a number of nieces and nephews.In addition to her parents and her first husband, she was preceded indeath by her daughter, Nicole Prevatt.Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in theHile Funeral Home, 1204 Kerr Ave. at Walnut Street, Emlenton.Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Chapel onthe Hill, Assembly of God Church, Route 208 west of Emlenton, with theRev. Chris Clark officiating.Those who wish can make contributions in remembrance of Mrs. Uckert to the Building Extension Fund of Chapel on the Hill, P.O. Box 507,Emlenton, 16373.