Obituary of Amy Christine Ley McIntosh
Lived with a vibrant and determined spirit, embracing excitement, spontaneity, grace, and curiosity. She passed away peacefully at home, on November 9, 2024, at the age of 49 after a courageous 2 year battle with Breast Cancer. Beloved wife of 22 years to Andrew. Proud and loving mother of Dylan and Fiona. Dear daughter of Emily Rich and Thomas Ley, and daughter-in-law of Maureen Nelson. Cherished sister of Laura Turner (John), Robert Ley (Lauren), Andrew Ley (Kali), Ryan Ley (Kati) and sister-in-law of Heather Stephenson (Joe), Ambrose Kirby (Haley) and Kathleen Gomez (Julian). Beloved Aunt to numerous nieces, and nephews. Amy will be missed by many aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family and friends.
Amy was born in Lansing MI. Her loving and supportive parents encouraged and nurtured her love of music and she grew up playing piano, violin, and the harp. As she studied music further at The University of Michigan (BM, MM) she became convinced that playing the harp “was something, from the depths of my heart, that I had to do.” Amy touched the lives of countless people through her brilliant musicianship, immense humanity, and unending warmth. In her hands, “the harp, that most heavenly of instruments, glowed even brighter.”
Through teaching, she engaged in the best learning experience of all by working with harp students in her home studio, at Hillsdale College, the University of Windsor, and at the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. She inspired parents and children in Windsor by teaching the basic fundamentals of music in her Music for Young Children programs. Her home was always full of music.
Amy was the Principal Harpist, often featured soloist, for a number of orchestras in her home state of Michigan and adopted province of Ontario. She could play a heartfelt “Pachelbel’s Cannon in D” for a teary-eyed bride, groove to an arrangement of Gershwin with her Detroit-based Modern Harp Quartet, and buzz with the “what next” of a new composition played with Brave New Works. She was featured in broadcasts and recordings on CBC radio, numerous live webcasts, and summer festivals in Washington and Lancaster OH.
Championing classical music in her home community of Windsor, Amy was a founder, Artistic Director, and regular performer in a chamber music series called 4th Wall Music whose goal was to connect to new audiences by taking down the wall between audience and performers with programs that were educational, interactive and collaborative.
Amy was passionate about her family. As a loving mother, she was a fierce supporter of her children and was active in their school and activities. She was a beautiful and loving partner to her husband and together they relished the immense joy that their children brought. As a family, they flourished in their “village” in Walkerville. A friend to all, she sought out connections with people throughout her life and was blessed to find herself in a community of amazing women. She would find peace and solace walking in a forest, diving into a lake, on a stroll with her beloved Loki and Koda, and marvelling at the world around her.
The family would like to thank the entire staff of The Windsor Cancer Centre and the Hospice of Windsor for all their dedicated care and compassion shown to Amy. Memorial Visitation will take place at WINDSOR CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME - Banwell Chapel, 11677 Tecumseh Rd. E. (519-253-7235), on Saturday, November 23, 2024, from 3-5 pm and 7-9 pm. Memorial Visitation will continue on Sunday, November 24, 2024, from 1:00 pm until the Celebration of Life at 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Amy may be made to the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation, The Windsor Symphony Orchestra, or The Flint Symphony Orchestra. Online condolences and cherished memories may be shared with the family at www.windsorchapel.com
