Leatha C. Kesel-Mikitiuk, 52, of Cortland, passed away November 17, 2012 at the Cayuga Medical Center after a brief and courageous battle with cancer. Leatha graduated from Cortland High School in 1978, and just recently graduated from TC3 with and associates degree in Hotel/Restaurant Management. She had been employed at Friendlys Restaurant, the Kosher Dining Hall at Cornell University, and ASC at SUNY Cortland for the past 17 yrs. Leatha enjoyed making people happy. She would give the shirt off her back to anyone in need and touched so many lives with her amazing smile, laughter, and sense of humor. Her greatest attributes were looking for good in people and giving unconditionally. She is survived by her sweet little family that includes her twin daughters Evita and Alexandria Mikitiuk, her son Victor (Jessica) Mikitiuk and their expectant daughter Aubriella Leatha Mikitiuk all of Cortland, her sisters Glenda (jose) Sevilla of Cortland, Karla Kesel of Ithaca, Loretta Kesel of Cortland, Alicia Longo of Cortland, her brother joseph Longo of North Carolina, niece Danielle Longo, nephew Brandon Sevilla, her pets including Coco and numerous friends. She was predeceased by her father Charles Kesel who died before Leatha was born, her mother Dorothea, and her father Alexander who raised her. Calling hours will be Saturday 4-5:45 with a memorial service to begin 6 pm at the Wright-Beard Funeral Home Inc., 9 Lincoln Ave., Cortland NY, 13045. To offer online condolences visit www.wright-beard.com Our dear friend Leatha. We are sure going to miss you. Your laughter, your smile, your funny comments. You have the biggest heart, We will miss you my friend. We will keep you close to our hearts forever. Love you Kathy Stevens leatha i love and miss you dearly .your smile made my day and hearing you call me munchkin was the best you will always be my {momma dunkin} candi marshall One of the most wonderful souls I've ever known. All those years ago, before she married, when we first met, I new I had fallen in love. I did not know her name, but I knew I loved her. Her friend came up to us and I didn't even realize we were holding hands, And told me,"she's getting married." I thought, that's not right. Not knowing her name, I could not find her. Years later, when I did, it was not to be, but she will forever be the love of my life. She's not with us now, but she has showed me how to believe in the wonder of innocence in everyone. A gentle soul, a heart of gold, a rare Lady, you will forever be loved in my heart Ed Underwood Rest in peace dear Leatha. Your courageous fight is over. You will be dearly missed but remembered for your wit, great sense of humor and most of all the memories of you that live in our hearts. Karen (Jones) Williams Leatha-I didn't know you for as long as many of your friends, but you were an inspiration to many. Your sense of humor was priceless and will be missed by all. Susan Hubbard