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Leila Stewart Falt passed away peacefully on December 27, 2015. She was born in Key West, Florida, to Anne Stewart Falt and Joseph Byron Falt, Jr. Miss Falt grew up in Huntsville. She graduated from Principia Upper School in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1960 and from Principia College 1964 in Alton, Illinois, with a B.A. in French. She received her M.A. in French from Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont, and studied at the Université de Paris (the Sorbonne) in Paris, France. She worked in Paris in international banking for several years. Miss Falt taught French, English, and History for Huntsville City Schools and local universities. She actively served on local and national boards related to teaching French. Leila received the Prix d’Excellence of the American Association of Teachers of French, Alabama Chapter, in 2012.
Leila was a loving, dedicated, class-taught Christian Scientist who was an active member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, where she served on the board and in other official capacities.
Miss Falt was an active supporter of the arts, including the Huntsville Museum of Art, the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, and many other museums and historical preservation societies. Her passions included European travel and gourmet cuisine. While teaching, she enjoyed taking students to France, French-speaking Canada, and to the French Caribbean, as well as to French plays, movies, and concerts to enrich their learning experience.
Survivors include sisters Martha Falt Priddy of Huntsville, and Chase Falt Silsbee (William), of Birmingham; brother, Joseph Byron Falt III “Ronnie” (Christi), of Huntsville; nieces, Amanda Chase Priddy Berkey (Chris), and Elizabeth Anne Falt of Huntsville; nephews Mead Silsbee (Laura), and Stewart Silsbee of Birmingham; and great nephews: Chase Berkey and Parker, Charlie, and Lassiter Silsbee.
Visitation will be from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, January 3 at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow at 3 p.m. at Maple Hill Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the First Church of Christ, Scientist of Huntsville, 807 Owens Drive, our local arts and preservation societies, or your favorite charity.
