Hope I. Leighton

Hope I. Leighton, 97, died Sunday, November 5, 2017. Visitation with the family will begin at 9:00 a.m., Friday, November 10, 2017, at Hillside Christian Church. Celebration of Life will follow at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel. Graveside Service at 2:00 p.m. at Alta Vista Cemetery, Alta Vista, KS. Viewing at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary, 1:00 - 9:00 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday. Hope was born in Alta Vista, KS on September 17, 1920 to A. Walden and Ethel Hope Leighton. She graduated from rural school in Morris County with the highest GPA in the county and was valedictorian upon graduation from Alta Vista High School. After graduation from high school she taught school in Wabaunsee and Morris Counties for 5 years prior to enlisting in the Womens Army Corp (WAC) during World War II. Hope received a degree in Physics from Kansas State University after completing her military service. She received several high honors from her studies and was elected to Phi Kappa Phi National Honorary Society and Pi Mu Epsilon Mathematics Honorary Society. After receiving a degree in Physics, she was employed by the Federal Government on assignments in Anchorage, AK and Washington, DC before moving to Boulder, CO and accepting a position with the National Bureau of Standards/NOAA. Once retired, she was able to indulge in travel allowing her to complete her visits to seven continents and all 50 states. Hope was active in several organizations including Colorado Mountain Club, Rocky Mountain Climbers Club, Rocky Mountain Nature Association, Boulder Bird Club, Flatiron Mineral Club, American Association of University Women, Audubon Society, Loners on Wheels Camping Club, First Christian Church of Boulder, and Hillside Christian Church of Wichita. Later in life she became very interested in birding, which was her primary hobby. Hope was preceded in death by her parents. Survived by her brother, Cliff Leighton of Wichita; nieces, Trudy Jackel of Wichita, Cindy (Glenn) Lessenden of Platte City, MO, Pat (Randy) Hancock of Wichita; nephew, Greg (Linda) Leighton of Wichita. Memorials have been established with Hillside Christian Church, 8330 E. Douglas, Wichita, KS 67206; Wichita Audubon Society, P.O. Box 47607, Wichita, KS 67201.