Mary Ellen Leighton, wife of NWA Capt. David Leighton

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Former NAL F/A Mary Ellen Leighton, wife of NWA Capt. David Leighton

 

The wife of NWA Capt. David Leighton passed away on September 10^th……….

The following obituary appeared in the Minneapolis Star and Tribune.

https://www.startribune.com/obituaries/detail/0000402786/

 

Obituary : Leighton, Mary Ellen

 

Leighton, Mary Ellen Age 77, of Chaska MN, left for the "great unknown" early hours of September 10th, peacefully holding hands with her husband in her own bed, after a short battle with cancer. Preceded in death by her parents and survived by husband David, son Jason Leighton (Samantha) of Chanhassen MN, daughter Erika Leighton (partner David) of Tulsa OK, son Jamie Leighton (Vanessa) of Palo Alto CA and seven grandchildren, Jack, Maggie, Vieve, Max, Brady, Nicky and Josie. Mary is also survived by two sisters Linda Sabo of Miami FL, Virginia Lally of Miami FL, and brother William Vanderbrook of Deerfield Beach FL.

She was born in Watertown NY, to William and Wylma Vanderbrook on March 20th, 1944. The family later moved to Miami Florida where Mary graduated from Palmetto High School, attended Florida State University, but cheerfully left academia for the allure of flying for National Airlines. Beginning her Stewardess career at age nineteen, she spent memorable years traveling the US and Europe, on days off cruising in her blue 1963 Corvette, enjoying life in South Miami and Coconut Grove. Along with airline peers, she relished parties on Key Biscayne, rubbed elbows with artists and eccentrics in the Grove while developing a particular fondness for football players and fighter pilots. During this period, she met Dave Leighton, a Navy Pilot from Minnesota, who became the love of her life. They embarked on a long distance relationship, Mary flying to San Diego and later, to Hong Kong when he flew in the Gulf. For over two years they met in many different cities, enjoyed bittersweet moments together, forever referred to as "Love in the Sixties - under the shadow of the sword" Married in 1969, they moved home to Minnesota, set up housekeeping on Lake Minnetonka and raised three children in several different lake homes. For over fifty years, Mary gardened, exercised, waged war on lake weeds, waitressed, worked at the animal hospital, watched football games and forever shivered in local hockey arenas. Indeed, a formidable cook and hostess, she had great parties when not boating and enjoying 'The Lake'. Through life, Mary was quietly close to her husband, a pilot for Northwest Airlines, and was unquestionably proud her sons both graduated from the United States Air Force Academy. She forever maintained herself as a trim, loving, notably attractive woman and a good friend to her many compatriots, clients and customers. Her loss will be forever felt by her husband, family and friends. As per her wishes, there will be no funeral or formal celebration of her life. A small gathering of family and close friends will be held in the future at her home. In time, there will be a private interment at Fort Snelling where she will await her beloved husband.

Published on September 19, 2021