Leah Elizabeth Carnes of Maineville, OH, passed away unexpectedly on April 5, 2026.

Born on September 12th, 1985, Leah is survived by her daughters, Elsie and Zella Carnes; parents Bill Dixon and Leslie Lyons-Dixon; sister Stephanie (Ryan) Distler and half siblings Kaitlin (Casey) Scarbro, Andrew (Emily) Dixon, and Bailey (Jason) Wilkinson; nephew Benjamin Distler; grandmother Carolyn Jones; uncle Bob (Linda) Dixon. She is proceeded in death by grandparents W. Terry Lyons, Robert F. Dixon and Ruby E. Dixon; aunt Margaret Whittington; and uncle Todd Lyons.

Leah found joy in camping with her girls, hiking with friends, and spending quiet moments alone immersed in nature. She was known for her determination, strength, and vibrant personality, as well as her quick mind and remarkable intelligence. Passionate about music, she had also recently discovered a love for propagating plants. Her kindness touched many, and despite a busy schedule, she remained deeply devoted to maintaining strong and meaningful relationships with those she loved.

Leah was a member of the 2003 Graduating Class at West Carrollton High School. From there, she went on to earn her undergraduate degree in psychology at the University of Cincinnati and quickly expedited her master's degree in nursing from Xavier University in 2013. Her love for children is what drove her passion for nursing. Leah spent 12 years working for Cincinnati Children's Hospital, mostly on their main campus but also spending 2 years developing a mental health program for adolescents. Leah exuded compassion and love for others, truly believing kindness can change the world.

A Celebration of Leah’s Life will be held Thursday, April 16, at Tufts Schildmeyer Funeral Home, 129 N Riverside Avenue, Loveland, OH 45140, with visitation from 3 PM to 5 PM, and a memorial service to follow at 5 PM. Donations in Leah's memory may be directed to City Gospel Mission of Cincinnati and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The family also requests that you honor her memory by performing small acts of kindness for someone who needs it.