Autumn Lyn Leach was fierce, free-spirited, a pocket-size hurricane. A whirling, swirling force, she took shape as a tireless advocate and volunteer for social justice, gender equality and the voiceless.
She lived to right wrongs — leveraging her intelligence, charisma and sharp humor. Her wisecracks struck like lightning: sharp, perfectly timed, illuminating truths to a chorus of gasps and laughter. Even the EMTs who drove her to the McClure Miller Respite House, a hospice in Colchester, said she was one of the “funnest” people they’d ever transported.
Autumn loved her adopted hometown of Burlington: her daily walks through town, Fletcher Free Library, Greater Burlington YMCA, the eclectic people who make Burlington stand out. She moved to Vermont with her life partner, Barry Jenks. Autumn was always happiest with Barry, who grokked her humor and shared her sense of adventure. Together, they enjoyed trips to Boston and New York, farmers markets, time with Barry’s father and family, and Joey the cat.
But Autumn’s story began in Soldotna, Alaska. Born on May 18, 1973, to Vicki and Daryl Leach, Autumn was the second of nine children. Her younger siblings — Ian, Michael, Tamara, Daryl, David, Dale and Liam — meant the world to her. She was also close to her parents and her uncle, David Carey. In life, the unexpected deaths of David and Liam, and estrangement from her sister Misti, weighed heavily on Autumn’s heart.
With her dad working on Alaska’s North Slope, Autumn helped raise her siblings. She was a fiercely protective big sister (reserving for herself the exclusive right to torment them). After graduating with the inaugural class of Soldotna’s Skyview High School in 1991, she spent the summer at a cannery, perfecting her skills packing fish and cheating at cards. She then headed off to Alaska Pacific and Southern Illinois universities for undergraduate studies, later working for British Petroleum and a film production company.
Driven to help others, Autumn moved to Southern California to attend Thomas Jefferson School of Law, securing a legal internship in Beijing. After earning a Juris Doctor in 2002 (a goal since girlhood), she returned to Alaska, championing women and families at Planned Parenthood and a local women’s resource center. Committed to making sure every voice counts, she also worked with election boards and at polling stations in Alaska and Vermont.
Autumn lived with arms wide open, embracing experiences good and bad. She loved travel, scuba diving, snowboarding and skiing; fabulous shoes, furs and most things pink; reading (especially biographies), intelligent debate and outrageous banter. She really, really hated the cold.
Autumn died peacefully on March 30, 2026, in the company of close family and friends. She is deeply missed by those who were lucky enough to know and love her. And if she were here, she’d say, “You’re right, you were lucky!”
In memory of Autumn, please: “Just get out and vote!” Memorial contributions may be made to Steps to End Domestic Violence (stepsvt.org).
This article appears in August 5 • 2026.
Tears all over again just reading this because, damn, she is missed. I asked her to “please haunt me” – and I really hope she will. I would so love to see her again.
We miss her so much
I didn’t know her. But her smile stopped me to read about her. What an amazing person. I send my love an sympathy to all her friends and family.
Damn I miss you honey. So, so much.