Mary Patricia Jones Leighty

Mary Patricia Jones Leighty passed away peacefully on August 28, 2026, at Colonial Village in Overland Park, Kansas. She was 90. 

Mary was born on April 20, 1936, in Bancroft, Kansas, the fifth child of Verne Jones and Claire Jamison Jones. She was raised in Nemaha County in a family of teachers and basketball coaches, from whom she learned the importance of education, hard work, and competition. Mary’s family and childhood experiences also influenced her lifelong independence and strong moral code. She stayed connected to her hometown long after moving away, helping to create the Bancroft Preservation Association. Mary also treasured her decades-long friendships with her Centralia High School classmates, who joined her in celebrating her 90th birthday earlier this year. 

While studying for her bachelor’s degree at Washburn University, Mary met her husband, the late Richard Leighty. They were married from December 1956 until his death in June 2025. She and Richard spent the early years of their marriage living and working as teachers in the Topeka and Kansas City areas before settling down to raise their three children in Tecumseh, Kansas. 

Mary earned a master’s degree and taught second grade for many years at Tecumseh North Elementary School. Her teaching philosophy was informed by her lifelong passion for reading and her opinion that it served a key role in education and society. She was particularly enthusiastic about helping children who struggled to read at the same level as their peers, believing strongly that every one of her students deserved their best chance at future success. She was honored as Teacher of the Year by her school district in 1994. She also grew close to several of her fellow teachers, their friendships enduring long after retirement and to the end of her life. 

Outside of work, Mary dedicated many volunteer hours to Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka. Her Christian faith was important to her, and she worshipped with the Presbyterian church while living in Tecumseh. She also enjoyed coffee dates with Richard at several local shops over the years, treating herself to baked goods and always taking the time to get to know the staff. 

Mary enjoyed her friendships, grandchildren (and grand-dogs and grand-cats), church, reading, music, traveling, baseball, and basketball. She loved sparkles, flowers, twinkle lights, and polka dots. Every gathering she attended was made more enjoyable because of her presence, and she preserved many treasured gifts, photos, and correspondences that had brought her joy over the years. She had fond memories of listening to her mother play piano professionally while growing up and was delighted when three of her grandchildren learned to play the instrument. She was an enthusiastic conversationalist, making new friends anywhere she went. 

Mary demonstrated thoughtfulness, kindness, and strength of character to her family, friends, colleagues, and students. She was a devoted mother, a cherished mother-in-law, and a doting grandmother and great-grandmother. Having grown up with brothers who served the United States military in World War II and Korea, she was fiercely patriotic. She maintained a strong interest in politics and current events throughout her lifetime. 

In 2010, Mary and Richard moved to Overland Park to be closer to their children and grandchildren in the Kansas City area. They were active members of their Presbyterian church community in Overland Park. They spent their last years at Colonial Village, where Mary’s room was filled with plants, jigsaw puzzles, and K-State memorabilia. She enjoyed attending the live music performances and church services offered at Colonial. 

Mary’s indefatigable positivity endured in spite of several illnesses and age-related challenges. She refused to dwell on the past or on her difficulties; instead, she constantly set and achieved goals to improve her wellbeing. She especially valued her mental acuity, sharpening her mind by reading books and working crossword puzzles over many decades. Even at 90, she had an excellent memory for the individual names and lives of her caregivers and fellow residents. She retained her intellect and sagacity through her very last day. 

Mary is survived by her youngest brother, Terry Jones, several nieces and nephews, and her three children and their families: son Stuart, granddaughter Nicole and her husband Kyle, and great-granddaughter Delaney; daughter Teresa; and son Stephen, daughter-in-law Jan, and grandchildren Madison, Cassie, and Grant. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Wayside Waifs, The Saint Luke's Foundation, or The Richard & Mary Leighty College of Arts and Sciences Endowed Scholarship Fund at Washburn University.