Retired CCSD Teacher Dies Following Cancer Battle

CANTON, GA — The Cherokee County School District is mourning the loss of one of its retired educators. Lecia Landolt died last week following a battle with pancreatic cancer, according to her obituary.

Landolt was employed as a teacher and assistant principal with the Cherokee County School District from 1991 to 2011. Her husband, Richard Landolt, is the principal of ACE Academy in Canton.

"She was a strong, encouraging, humble, gifted, witty, beautiful lady who truly made an impact on everyone and everything she touched," Lecia Landolt's obituary said. "She will be remembered for her unending effort to make every day count in service to others. You would find her encouraging teachers and coworkers, cooking and serving for the bereaved, and embracing the attitude that you never give up."

A funeral service is planned for 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12 at Canton First United Methodist Church. The family will accept visitors from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10 and Friday, Jan. 11 at Darby Funeral Home. Another visitation will be held at 2 p.m. Jan. 12 at Canton First UMC.

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Landolt graduated from the University of North Georgia, and earned her educational specialist degree from the University of Georgia. Along with Cherokee County, she also taught children in Lumpkin and Gwinnett counties. She taught at Dean Rusk Middle School from 1996 to 1996 and Woodstock Middle School from 1996 to 1998. She served as an assistant principal at Woodstock Middle from 1998 to 2008 and 2008 to 2001 at Freedom Middle School.

“Lecia brought joy to every classroom and school where she served,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Hightower said. “She made a positive difference in the lives of the children she taught and in the lives of her colleagues, including the many for whom she served as a mentor and inspiration.”

Outside of her profession, Landolt was a member of Canton First United Methodist Church and a counselor at Camp Glisson in Dahlonega. The Landolts, along with Lecia's mother, were also members of Cherokee Chorale.

"Though Lecia battled her illness for over five years, she realized every day was a gift," her obituary goes on to state. "Her positive outlook enabled her to continue with a strong, vibrant, joyful life."

Landolt is survived by husband, Richard Landolt of Canton; daughter, Katie Strack (Thad) Proctor of Canton; son, Jim Strack Jr. of Jasper; mother, Mary Lanford of Dahlonega; brother, Reverend Robert Almand Lanford Jr. of Marietta; brother, Norbert Spence Lanford of Oxford; sister, Nan Lanford of Canton; mother-in-law, Masako Landolt; sister-in-law, Kathy Owen; brother-in-law, Craig Landolt; brother-in-law, James Landolt; and two grandchildren, Alaynah Jackson and Jesse Proctor.

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