Mary Jean Leighton

Mary Jean Leighton (90) went to her Lord on June 18, 2020 from complications of Alzheimer's. Funeral services will be scheduled at a later date at Park Lawn Funeral Home.

Mary Jean was born October, 1929 in St. Louis, Missouri to Orville and Marie McQueen. She grew up with her brother, Richard McQueen, in Kirwin, Kansas. She graduated as valedictorian from Kirwin High School in 1947.

Mary Jean married Leon Rasmussen in 1946 with whom she had their children, Chris (Lyn) Rasmussen, Debbie Rasmussen, Abbie Rasmussen, Cheri (Rick) Coleman, and Tracy (Renada) Rasmussen. She had grandchildren, Drew (Theresa) Rasmussen, Cari (Brian) Trimyer, Rorian Coleman, Brendan Coleman, Keefe Coleman, Thea (Walt) Trynock, and five great grandchildren. She was also close to her niece, Meda (Jason) Green.

Mary Jean and Leon raised their children while living in Kirwin, Kansas; Kansas City, Missouri; El Rastro, Venezuela; Broomfield, Colorado; and Grandview, Missouri. She helped Leon support the family by working as an automotive billing clerk for various dealerships in Kansas City.

After her divorce in 1972, Mary Jean married Richard Leighton in 1986. She readily embraced his family which included his daughter, Linda (Jim) Price; grandsons, Jimmy (Jane) Price and Bryan Price; three great grandchildren; and two great, great grandchildren. Mary Jean and Richard loved to travel especially in their motor home. They settled in Overland Park, Kansas until Richard's death in 2010.

Mary Jean earned her Certified Nursing Assistant degree at age 69. She worked in the pediatric unit of Shawnee Mission Hospital and later in two nursing homes. This skill later helped her care for Richard when his health began to decline.

Mary Jean loved listening to music and was quite a good dancer. She was artistic and painted portraits of several of her grandchildren. Mary Jean liked to knit and crochet, play bingo, read, sing, and go to the theater. She enjoyed women's bible studies and serving her church in many capacities. Mary Jean was very social and loved meeting new people. She always had a ready smile on her face.

Mary Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Orville and Marie McQueen; her brother, Richard McQueen; her infant sister, Marianna McQueen; her daughter, Debbie Rasmussen; and her husband, Richard Leighton.

Special thanks is given to Travis of Kindred Hospice and the caring staff of Rose Estates as they helped Mary Jean during her struggle with Alzheimer's.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to Alzheimer's Association.

Funeral services will be scheduled at a later date at Park Lawn Funeral Home.