Jean Bosley Leighton, 83, of Urbana passed away with her family by her side November 11, 2009 at 3:18am at Carle Hospital in Urbana following a severe stroke. Memorial services will be at the Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 S. Philo Road, Urbana, on Saturday, November 14 at 10:30am, Rev. John Sims officiating.

Jean Leighton was born April 7, 1926 in Kinmundy, Illinois, the daughter of Frank A. and Leone A. Bosley, former residents of Urbana and Salem, Illinois. She graduated from Urbana High School in 1944, attended the University of Illinois, and graduated from the Illinois Commercial College in 1947. Jean married her high school sweetheart, Morris W. "Brud" Leighton on September 7, 1947. She worked as a secretary at the Chicago Lying-In Hospital from 1947 to 1951 helping to put her husband through graduate school at the University of Chicago. She became a devoted home-maker and mother following the birth of their first daughter, Randi, in 1951. Jean dedicated her life to her family always putting them first. She created warm comfortable homes wherever her family lived while her husband's geological career with Exxon took them around the world. They resettled back in their hometown in 1983 when her husband became Chief of the Illinois State Geological Survey.

She expressed her creativity through many hobbies including golfing, bowling, skiing, tennis, gardening, pottery, reading, embroidery, cross-stitch and even carpentry. Her exceptional needle point work is prized by her daughters, friends and family. She was an avid bridge player and helped to organize and manage bridge clubs in Urbana.

Survivors include her husband, Brud; three daughters, Randi Leighton of Australia; Kathryn Lee and her husband, Jim, of Florida; and Kari Downey and her husband, Michael, of Florida; four grandchildren; Michael and Steven Flynn both of Australia; Kami Downey of Florida; and Rachel Lee of Florida.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Special Olympics of Illinois, 902 N County Fair Drive, Champaign, IL 61821 (355-1750).