Miriam Elizabeth Leino

HARRISON – Miriam Elizabeth Leino, 91, of Harrison died June 6, 2021, at her daughter’s home in Hillsboro, Mo. She was born in New Castle, Pa., in 1929. She was the daughter of the late Otto and Hilma Suorsa. Miriam graduated from Slippery Rock High School in Slippery Rock, Pa. She later graduated from Suomi Lutheran College, in Hancock, Mich., where she met her future husband, Rev. Henry Leino. They were married Sept. 5, 1953.

Miriam was an accomplished organist, and together, she and her husband served 10 congregations in five states over a period of 34 years. Even after her retirement in 1987, her skills as a church organist were requested by many congregations throughout central Maine, regardless of denomination.

She is survived by: five children; Mark (Mari) Leino of Lewiston, Karen (Dana) Carlson of New Gloucester, Mary (Phillip) Mahder of Hillsboro, Mo., Gerald (Miriam) Leino of Wallkill, N.Y., and Diane (Mark) Lopez of Santa Clarita, Calif..; Four siblings: Dr. Paul (Gertrude) Suorsa of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Martin (Alice) Suorsa of Monterey, Calif., Ruth (Roger) Schmucker of Louisville, Ohio, and Donald (Beth) Suorsa of New Castle, Pa.; 13 grandchildren; Josh, Caleb, Amy, Christa, Adam, Matthew, Micah, Melody, Miriam, Zachary, Cameron, Sarah, and David; and seven great-grandchildren; Elena, Leo, Rosie, Judah, Asa, Truman, and James.

In addition to her late husband, she was predeceased by two sisters, Martha and Eleanor, and her brother, David.

The visitation will be held at Chandler Funeral Home in Oxford, from 6-8 p.m., on Friday, June 18. The funeral service will take place at the same facility Saturday, June 19, starting at 10 a.m., followed by a graveside service at the Harrison Lutheran Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to samaritanspurse.org