Obituary of Adrah Lee Leitner

On February 9th, 2023, we lost our beloved Adrah Lee Leitner at the age of 39 in the serene mountains of Colorado that she loved so much.  Adrah was born on April 6th, 1983 in Denver, Colorado to John Wayne and Ita Leitner.  She was cherished: a deeply loved mother, partner, daughter, sister and friend to all those she encountered, if even for just a fleeting moment along the way.  She was a shining light, had an exuberant presence, was a force to be reckoned with, and gave so much to this world throughout her short lifetime.

Adrah graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Colorado School of Medicine (2008). Adrah Leitner, DPT, PCS was a board-certified specialist and passionate advocate within the medical profession. She dedicated the early stages of her career to enhancing the lives of children who were medically vulnerable: volunteering as a camp counselor for children living with cancer and muscular dystrophy; traveling internationally to provide training to medical providers and clinics in underdeveloped poverty-stricken countries in ongoing efforts to reduce infant mortality; serving as a mentor with Minds Matter to high school students dreaming of college success. This culminated when she was selected for a highly competitive NICU Fellowship through the PT Neonatology at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (2015-2016). She actively practiced as a Physical Therapist for 13 years and further disseminated her knowledge by speaking at both the Pediatrics Annual Conference (2018), and the American Congress of Rehab Medicine (ACRM; 2020), and co-authoring Clinical Practice Guidelines (2020). In 2018, she became the Director of Clinical Services at Spark Home Health, following her passion to implement and promote the best possible care for children living with special needs. In 2021, she joined DispatchHealth as a Bridge Care Supervisor and was quickly promoted to the Manager of Quality and Training, in which she was referred to as having an innate compassion, sheer power of excellence and persistence, innovation, and boundless commitment to helping others. While her professional accomplishments, intellect, and dedication are vast; her fierce passion and charismatic compassion were unbounded. She had an innate ability to connect to her kiddos (whom she would never refer to as ‘a patient’) and their families in a way like no other: comforting them during the scariest and most uncertain of times; supporting them through their struggles; and reassuring them that their children would prevail. 

In 2015, Adrah was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis but adamantly refused to let the diagnosis define or deter her passion for life. She instead embodied resilience, persisting fearlessly by not only becoming a Member of the Board of Directors for Can Do MS and SkiMS but defying the belief that the affliction is debilitating. Instead, depicting a full bountiful life by conquering every back bowl the mountain had to offer, spinning circles around the country music dance floor, and engaging in endless world travels as Wanderelle, all while consuming only the finest of wines. 

Adrah was known for her infectious smile, her compassion, and her exuberant energy that rippled throughout those she encountered. She was an immeasurable spirit; touching the lives of so many just by being her fierce and incomparable self. She lived by the mantra “Love greatly, be the voice of the voiceless, and always stand up for what you believe in.  If your dreams don’t scare you, they’re not big enough.” Adrah is survived by her partner, Bobby Barczyk; their 27-month old son and joy of their lives, Brooks Everett Barczyk; her parents, John Wayne and Ita; her sister, Becky; extended family from near and far; and deeply connected friends. While devastated over this loss and while we will miss her tremendously, we will carry her inspiration into our own lives. 

Inurnment will be held in Emanuel Cemetery within Fairmont on Friday February 24, 2023. That will be followed by a Celebration of Life on Sunday February 26, 2023; Please reach out the immediate family for details. 

In lieu of flowers please donate to a cause near and dear to her heart: Can Do Multiple Sclerosis Fund.

https://support.cando-ms.org/site/TR/SkiAThon/General?px=1003015&pg=personal&fr_id=1250