Leah Sasso McAllister died on Aug. 22 after a long and fruitful life. Born and raised on St. Thomas, she attended and graduated from Sts. Peter and Paul School as valedictorian. Her mother was the well-known Blanche Joseph Sasso who taught many generations of Virgin Islanders; and her father was Ernest D. Sasso, former commissioner of finance and brother to then local Rabbi Moses D. Sasso.
After high school graduation, Leah attended St. Joseph College of Nursing, Paterson, New Jersey. Her continuing education includes the Catholic University of Puerto Rico, and extension branch of the University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio, from which she received an associate of arts degree.
Leah married W. H. Stevens with whom she had two children, Laura and Mark; and subsequently married Colin McAllister with whom she had one child, Sean. Her faithful and loving companion for the past 33 years is Ewen Duff “Ted” Walter, builder, former founder/manager of Lucy’s Market and Commodore of St. Thomas Yacht Club.
In her younger days, Leah was a concert pianist who raised funds for various causes in the community. She was a newspaper and television model; a beauty pageant winner; and she played a nun in the 1950’s Paramount Pictures movie filmed on St. Thomas “The Proud and the Profane,” starring William Holden and Deborah Kerr.
In the business community, Leah worked in managerial and/or bookkeeping capacities for the Beachcomber Hotel, Shibui Hotel, Barbel Enterprises, Maxon’s Realty and Construction and Arthur Witty Enterprises. As an entrepreneur, she was a former partner in Island Laundries; she helped manage her son’s business, McAllister and Associates; and managed her own business, LeMcAi Residential Rentals.
Leah enjoyed travelling and she visited many areas in four of the seven continents, North, Central and South America, Europe and Africa. Along with Ted, she enjoyed many visits to the United States and to various islands on their motor yacht and sailboat. She took pleasure in entertaining and hosted many parties, including those honoring her mother who lived to be 105.
Leah is survived by her life-companion, Ted; her children: Laura, Mark and spouse Magdalena, and Sean; her grandchildren: David, James, Chelsea, Christine and Eric; step-grandson, Curtis; and her great-grandchildren: Ava and Logan.
Leah had a large extended family and many friends. Her many relatives here and across the globe include the Adams, Davis, DeCastro, Dutil, Finch, Finnimore, Gray, Hassell, Howard, Isaachs, Kreke, Lloyd, Lockhart, Maguire, Mills, Morón, Monsanto, Petz, Pinto, Robles, Sasso and Watson families; as well as her numerous godchildren and their families.
The viewing will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5, at Davis Funeral Home Chapel. The service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 6, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Mafolie. Interment will be in Mafolie Cemetery.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel, in honor of Leah S. McAllister.
