VIRGINIA JEARLENE HUMPHREYS LEISHMAN

Virginia (Pat) Jearlene Humphreys Leishman passed away on May 4, 2012 from the consequences of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. She was born June 22, 1936 in Shelley, ID to Oliver and Alba Leah Humphreys. She was the last of seven children and was twenty years younger than her oldest sibling. Her father died when she was only six years old so she didn’t grow up with a lot. She and her mother were very close.

She graduated from Shelley High School and apprenticed at a beauty shop during her high school years. She attended Utah State University where she met and married Courtney Maughan Leishman on April 11, 1957 in the Idaho Falls Temple. They lived in Logan, UT for a few years and then moved to Malad, ID for Courtney to begin his coaching and teaching career. In 1962 they moved to Provo, UT and in 1963 they moved into their home on Grandview Hill and have lived there ever since. She supported Courtney as he coached at Malad High, BY High and BYU where she supported dad by hauling cheerleaders to away games, feeding large groups of players for Thanksgiving and other meals, and many other things.

Mom was a devoted mother and wife and ws the most selfless individual we’ve met. She was always quietly serving behind the scenes, never drawing attention to herself, but doing what she could to make others successful. She was a great cook and she welcomed others into her home. She had a knack of being able to stretch a meal planning for a few to feed many.

She traveled with dad to support his coaching career and influenced the lives of many young people. She and dad served three missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Australia-CES, with the interpretation services at the Provo MTC, and Nauvoo, IL. She has served in many other church callings in Relief Society, Primary and Young Women. She was willing to serve wherever she was called.

She worked part time at BYU for many years, most of which were at the Marriott Center ticket office where she handled player guest tickets. Mom made lifelong friends wherever she went including the Fireside Gang which started in the early 70s. This group of friends traveled and played together as well as supported each other. She was part of a neighborhood book club started in the 70s that is still going strong.

Mom was always independent which made her disease such a challenge. It made her depend on others for everything in the end. It took everything away from her but she never complained and she never lost her sense of humor. She is an example of selfless service, kindness, goodness and giving.

She is survived by her husband, Courtney, four children, Kathy Lee Garrett (Jeff), Jearlene, Mike (Jodi) and Rick (Lacey), ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and all of her siblings.

We want to especially thank Audrey, LaBretta and Hilary who took extra good care of mom at Beehive Homes.

Funeral services will be May 10, 2012 at the Grandview South Stake Center, Provo, UT.