LeAnn Brimley Heaton, our loving Wife, Mother & Grandmother, passed on from this life on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at the age of 62. LeAnn was born on May 29, 1958 to two loving parents, Nedra Simmons Brimley and James Clyde Brimley in Mesa, Arizona. She lived nearly her entire life in Mesa, graduating from Westwood High School in 1976 and serving with all her heart and soul for 30 years in multiple positions in the Mesa Public School District. She was married for time and all eternity to Michael Dee Heaton in the Mesa Arizona Temple on April 18, 1980. Together with her loving husband, she raised 4 sons and 2 daughters over their 40+ years together. LeAnn was a quiet source of strength to all those who came into contact with her.
LeAnn held numerous callings as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Among them were den mother, scout committee member, cubmaster, pianist, primary presidency, primary teacher and primary chorister, Relief Society instructor, and most recently served as the Relief Society compassionate service committee chair. She loved this calling as it was her passion and gift to serve others.
In her home, LeAnn was the homemaker in every sense of the word. She was a masterful cook that kept a large family fed and happy. Over the years, she developed several meals that were requested again and again for birthdays and special occasions. LeAnn loved to craft and create things with her hands; in recent years she created several hand tied rugs, many wreaths and, of course, a Christmas Stocking for each member of the family. She also enjoyed raising animals at home, including many chihuahuas (specifically white chihuahuas) and several generations of chickens. She truly enjoyed spending time at the beach as often as she could and she loved sharing that joy with her family when possible.
LeAnn loved her family and spent countless hours counseling, listening, and worrying about them. Her love seemingly had no bounds as she expanded her circle of family to include sons-in-law and daughters-in-law that were treated as if they had always been a part of her family. She loved that they all refer to her and Mike as “Mom & Dad”. LeAnn’s grandkids were truly the “icing on the cake” for her. She adored each one and loved spending time with them even more. They all looked forward to going out to eat with their “Mamaw” and “Pompah” for dinner for their birthdays and will still look forward to that tradition in the coming years.
LeAnn loved the Gospel of Jesus Christ and maintained a deep and abiding love for our Savior. She fasted often and prayed constantly for the welfare of her family and the many others that she cared for. She loved studying the scriptures personally and with her family. Her Christlike service did not end at her callings, she gave service wherever and whenever she found the need.
LeAnn was preceded in death by both her mother, Nedra (2002), and father, James Clyde (1978). She is survived by her Husband, Mike, her sons Thomas Stanley (Stefanie), Hunter Brimley (Clarissa), Carter James (Aubri) & Samuel Jefferson and her daughters, Megan Heaton Dale (James) & Carmen Dee Hughes (David), 12 (soon to be 14) grandchildren, siblings, in-laws, cousins, nieces & nephews that love and miss her very much.
We invite anyone whose life has been touched by LeAnn to the funeral service in her honor that will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Stake Center at 933 E. Brown Road, Mesa, AZ 85203, with a visitation beginning one hour prior to the services at 9:00 am. An additional visitation will also be held the preceding evening, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Bunker Garden Chapel, 33 N Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201. LeAnn will be interred at the Mesa Arizona Cemetery.
The live funeral service will be streamed on Saturday May 1st at 10AM PST from the Mesa North Stake Center. You are invited to join the livestream at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87610079898
If you wish to send flowers, they can be sent to the Bunker Garden Chapel. Monetary donations can be made to any of the charitable funds at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
i am so sorry for your lost God bless the family 🙏🏽😞
Brother Heaton, we have been praying for you and your family ever since we learned of the information concerning your dear wife. We love you and are mourning with you. God bless you.
Respectfully,
Michelangelo Fernandez and Family
Words cannot fully express our thoughts & feelings at this time at your separation in this life from Leann. Life is short, fleeting at best, for all of us. Although, it doesn’t seem so now, when we met again it will feel it has been but a small moment. Oh, what a joyful reunion that will be! We are so grateful for the oppurtunity we had recently to spend time with you at your home. A blessed chance to say far thee well (never goodbye, always see you later). Our hearts & love are with all the family & freinds who are left behind, to be called home another day. 💙
I am so sad to hear this. My last conversation with LeAnn was when I called MPS to get maternity leave paperwork emailed to me. My mother watched her two young boys years ago while she served the schools. She was always so nice to my family and to my little brother. She spoke softly but was very strong. She fell a few times while hiking along the Pioneer Trek trail but she always got back up and never made a thing if it. I pray her family is comforted and stays strong in the Lord through this. It’s easy to feel anger, it’s part of grieving. I hope they also feel love and peace through the Savior.
My condolences, what a beautiful tribute to her memory. May you find peace in your grief journey.
I am praying for you family. I didn’t know LeAnn well, but I believe she was a special person. She had to be because she became part of our family. Our love and prayers always.
Mike,
So very sorry for you and your family’s loss. May the Spirit comfort and prepare you through the coming days and weeks.
Peace be with you and your family. We love you!
Dear Mike,
Our hearts break to hear of LeAnns passing. We pray for you and your family at this difficult time.
Love, James and Lisa Stock
Dear Mike,
Our hearts break to hear of LeAnns passing. We pray for you and your family at this difficult time.
Mike, I am sorry to see the Leann has passed on, my heart hurts for you, I pray that you will receiving the loving arms of our savior, at this time. Love you
I knew Leann in high school and then was fortunate to move into her neighborhood 6 years ago. She became my confidante at one of the most difficult times in my life. She was so kind and nonjudgmental. Even after I had to move away she texted me every Sunday for over two years just to check in. (Who even does that!💖) I feel so lucky and blessed to count her as my friend.
Love and prayers to her family. I know you all miss her but I know she’s watching over you all and still doing everything she possibly can to bless you. That’s just who she is and will always be. I look forward to seeing her again someday.
Mike, We have been so saddened by the news of your loss. Heavenly Father needed a special person to serve on a special project so He called on LeAnn. We are so grateful we have the knowledge that we will see her again. I know that knowledge gives you and your family comfort at this time.
I was so shocked to learn that Leann passed away. I have been living in Ohio but came to Mesa this weekend for my granddaughter CLARYSA Skouson wedding… I was totally shocked !
I send condolences 💐 to you and your family !!!
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. After attending the very touching service. I learned who was the originator of the strawberry, pretzel salad that my family adores. And that I wasn’t the only MPS employee who worried and prayed for the people who where out sick. Thank you so much for sharing with all of us. She was a very special person, whom I look forward to seeing again. May our Father’s loving arms hold and comfort you.
Sending our love and condolences to the Heaton family. Mike, may your heart be comforted with the knowledge that so very many people have been touched and loved by LeAnn. Your family is admired and loved by us all. Love from Parley and Karen.