Leticia Ekhaml

Leticia Ekhaml, 72

Leticia Toh Ekhaml, age 72, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May the 18th, 2019, following a three-year struggle with ampullary cancer. She was born to Tomas and Mary Toh in Manila, Philippines on March the 1st, 1947. Leticia is survived by her daughter, Maria; son, John: 10 siblings and her mother; and eleven grandchildren. "Ms. Letty", as many knew her, was a hard-working academic who travelled, lived, and immersed herself in a vibrant variety of regions and cultures across four continents. She always made her Catholic faith the centerpiece of her life, an unwavering trend originating back to her youngest of years. After years of Catholic grade and high schools, she graduated from Maryknoll College in Manila, Philippines, consistently achieving highest academic honors. Letty was then awarded full post-graduate scholarships in the United States, initiating what eventually resulted in her naturalization as a United States citizen. Her extensive post-graduate education included a master's degree and multiple graduate certificates, culminating in a PhD from Indiana University in Instructional Technology. While diligently attaining these credentials, she married Paul Ekhaml and started her family. Letty then began her teaching career at the University of West Georgia's Education Department, a journey in which she quickly gained a reputation for her extraordinary hard-working nature, culminating as a full-tenured Professor. During this time, she instilled many aspiring teachers and principals with the high-tech skills needed for educating future generations while simultaneously establishing herself as one of the Department's most prolific authors in academic journals and publications. However, as the years progressed, Letty could no longer resist her budding heart's desire to be more intimately connected with the children themselves, and therefore traded the bustling, highly competitive university environment for the more relaxed but personally enriching setting of the Media Center at Ashford Park Elementary in Atlanta, Georgia. During that time, she diligently led the school towards highest echelons of accomplishment, quickly becoming recognized and awarded for her lynchpin role towards Ashford Park's winnings of state-wide academic competitions for multiple years. Despite her busy career, Letty never failed to commit precious time and effort towards what she consistently and truly believed to be most important matters of all-the timeless matters of faith and spirituality. She held a great devotion to the Infant Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Letty was known as one of the most active members at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Roswell, Georgia, arranging flowers for Sunday Mass, teaching catechism for many children, and even cleaning the church during off-hours. Throughout her life, she also undertook annual religious retreats and pilgrimages to various holy sites throughout the world. A seemingly tireless worker, Letty likely would have postponed her retirement indefinitely had she not been diagnosed with cancer in 2015. She moved to St. Mary's, Kansas to devote her remaining years while undergoing treatment towards spending time with her grandchildren and enriching her spiritual life. Ms. Letty's unwavering commitment to her faith, family, and career is a model of resilience for all to exemplify. She will be greatly missed. Requiem Mass will be at 6:50 A.M. Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at Assumption Chapel. Interment will be in Our Lady Of Peace Cemetery, St. Marys. A rosary will be recited at 5:20 P.M. Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at Assumption Chapel.