Marie Jane Leavens

Marie Jane Leavens, of Show Low, Navajo County, Arizona peacefully passed away surrounded by her loving family on Monday, May 12, 2014 at her home in Show Low. She was 82. Marie was born on May 21, 1931 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. Marie enlisted in the United States Navy in 1951 during the Korean Conflict having been stationed at the Jacksonville Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida. It was there that she met the love of her life, Norman Leavens, who was also serving in the Navy. She was discharged in 1952 and on November 24, 1953 she and Norman were married in Kingsland, Georgia. Following their time in Florida they moved to Illinois in 1955 where they began their family. While in Illinois she worked at a hospital in Iowa, as the family lived on the river that separated Illinois and Iowa, in the central supply stocking operating rooms with equipment. In 1975 the family moved to Flagstaff, Arizona where she worked for the Flagstaff Unified School District as a teacher's aide. In 1994 they moved to Chino Valley and finally in 2000 they moved to Show Low where she resided until her passing. One of her many hobbies was that she enjoyed going to Hondah casino and the entertainment they provided. She was an excellent cook and an amazing baker. She loved watching her cooking shows and the comfort of her own home. Above all her amazing talents there was nothing more near and dear to her heart than her own family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The matriarch of the family home, she will be dearly missed by her loving family. Marie is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Norman "Buzz" Leavens of Show Low, Arizona; son, George (Tina) Leavens of Green River, Wyoming; daughters, Linda (Rod) Wigman of Pinetop, Arizona, Mary (Tim) White of Flagstaff, Arizona and Elaine (Troy) Cooke of Show Low, Arizona; grandchildren, Bobby, Heather, Alaina, Tim, Matt, Canyon, Cougar and Cieneca; great-grandchildren, Brody, Paisley and Timothy and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her mother, Anna McKinney as well as 2 brothers and 1 sister. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2014 at 11:00AM at the St. Rita's Catholic Church, 1400 E. Owens, Show Low, Arizona with military honors at 10:45AM. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the White Mountain Hospice Foundation, PO Box 1975, Lakeside, Arizona 85929 in Marie's name.