Dear DJ and The Lang Family-

My heart is aching for you all. Leah will always be remembered by me as a beautiful fighter and a passionate, exceptionally brilliant teacher. Her smile lit up Calusa every morning and our heartfelt conversations about her future are recorded in my memory. Her influence on hundreds of young lives will be a legacy unmatched.

My wish for you all is that time diminishes the immense emotional pain and that you have loving memories of your beautiful Leah.

David,
Our hearts go out to you for the loss of your dear wife and best friend. We know how much she meant to you. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Your Quell Family

I did not know Leah really well. I met her at Calusa when I worked there several years ago and we had a lot of mutual friends. We enjoyed many dinners out in a group setting at various restaurants over the years. I saw her in August right before school started. She was such a kind person; I am sure that she was an awesome teacher. She was always happy despite the obstacles she faced. She was so strong and had such a positive attitude. I told her once I loved her curly hair. She and I definitely had one thing in common and talked about it on more than one occasion – we did not like cilantro!!! We can cry because she is gone but I will not forget to smile because she was HERE.

This is so difficult to comprehend. Leah was a beautiful person, both inside and out. She gave her all to her students and her passion was evident. Forever loved and missed.

I will always love you Leah. You will be forever missed.

I knew Leah from our time together in elementary school all the way through high school. We were also in Girl Scouts together. She was a wonderful and selfless person and she will be missed. Thinking of her husband, parents and brothers.

I sat down my now senior daughter to tell her about Leah. She shared with me her fondest memory of when she had Ms. Lang as her fourth grade teacher. Emily fell asleep in class… she awoke to the sound of a book crashing down. Leah had dropped a book down on her desk. She never again fell asleep in Ms. Langs’ class!
As an IA for Calusa I so loved going into Leah’s room. Not only did she have a wonderful gift of teaching…. but her room had a sense of calm and peacefulness. With a heavy heart I wish this now for her and her family. God Bless

David,

I am so sorry to hear this news … words cannot adequtely express my sympathy and condolence to you and your family.

May God provide you strength during this very difficult time … may he hold you all in the palms of his hands to comfort you.

Thinking of you and your family.

We are so sorry for your loss. Leah was a very special light in this world, as she touched the hearts of the many young students she taught over the years. We have also seen what a special part of David’s life she has been. Always enjoyed hearing the stories of the adventures they had together and the love they shared for their puppies. May God bless and comfort the family and friends during this difficult time. Our prayers are with you all.

I don’t know how we move on. Leah was the best friend, teacher, and thrift store shopper I have ever known. Some days we laughed so hard, and others we cried, and we always had each others’ backs. Her love of finding a new gimmick to test out in the classroom or finding the perfect meme to go with whatever shenanigans were going on in the classroom, made me a better teacher. She was like a sister, daughter, mentor, and best friend wrapped into one amazing human. I love that we could say ANYTHING to one another, literally anything, talk about any topic, any feeling, and just listen to one another with acceptance. When we spent time thrifting, I loved that we encouraged each other to “go for it” and spend the money on the things we loved (sorry, DJ 😂)!!! Leah, you will always be my dearest friend, I will always love you, and I will talk to you and text you for the rest of my life. My only wish is that you could respond.💔

Dear Middleton and Lang Families,

My thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time. Leah was a true warrior. She was an inspiration to all of us. I was blessed to work with her for 7+ years. Her smile lit up the room and her presence was ever so calming. This will not be good bye. We will see you again. All of my love.

DJ and families,
There are no words that will be enough to express how deeply sorry we are for the loss of such a wonderful friend. Leah was the Mid Century Modern Queen! We share a love for ceramic Christmas trees and laughed about how we would have a ceramic forest one day! (I will Leah, and I’ll think of you when they light up). When Taylor and I always visited Florida we never missed an opportunity to visit with DJ and Leah. Having so much fun together strolling the beach or going for dinner, we always had the best time! Leah was the life of group who always had the best stories and greatest sense of humor. She was always so kind and sweet to my daughters. One of my fondest memories was when DJ and Leah came to visit us in Indiana. We went to dinner and laughed. We went to a Colts game together! DJ was in awe of the stadium, Leah loved the chicken fingers and we came home and just talked and visited… As tears fill my eyes writing this, it’s not fair that someone so lovely and so sweet would have to go. She will be forever missed and always remembered. My deepest sympathies to all the families and friends.

David and Lang Family,
We are so sorry for your tremendous loss. We are keeping you in our prayers.

Leah. Thank you for being part of our family and loving Deej and all of us the way you did. You guys were meant for each other and I know DJ will always miss you for the rest of his days. I had so much fun with you whenever we were together. I loved joking about everything with you, and talking about our doggies. The day you and DJ got married I was so proud that you had officially become a sister to me. I’ll never forget the feeling of happiness I felt from that day. Rest easy, Leah, I will always miss you too.

Leah, the light you brought to the world will shine forever. I will think of you always.

My condolences to DJ and the Lang & Middleton families.

My Dearest Leah,
Today we all came together to celebrate your life. It was not a goodbye but an until we meet again. You were one of the best friends a girl could ask for and I still can’t believe that you are gone. We instantly became friends when we met at Calusa and have made so many amazing memories over the years. You will be missed by so many and I struggle to find the words to explain what your loss means to all of us. You had the most vibrant soul and loving heart. You gave and never asked for anything in return. I will forever be grateful that you were a part of my life and that I was lucky enough to call you my friend. We will always be #kreah. I love you always!

My sweet Leah was feisty, strong, loving and kind. She was so beautiful inside and out.
She battled her health most of her life with determination, dignity and grace. Each day was a gift.
I am so proud to call her my daughter along with my sons Kyle, Kevin and Philip.
I am so grateful for the time I had with her and will cherish those memories forever.
Life will not be the same without her.
Words cannot express how much I miss her.
Love you Leah, xoxo Mom

hey kyle here i was one of her students at calusa elementary for 3rd grade is was when i was in 5th that i got the news i just cant get over it she was a great teacher person and friend she is the reason im doing good in school and she was one if not most nice teachers ever thank you for everything mrs lang fly high.