Sally E. Leaf of La Salle, Colorado, died peacefully on November 25, 2025, in Tallahassee, Florida. She was 85 years young. Born to Lillian (McDonald) and Vernon Riggs on October 6, 1940, in Greeley, Colorado, Sally was the youngest of three sisters. The family initially lived in Eaton when she was born, but moved to Greeley in 1942, where Sally graduated from Greeley High School in 1958. Sally was an accomplished horsewoman, riding her Palomino, Dusty, in the Greeley Stampede parade and performing with the Greeley Saddle Club drill team.
Sally married Larry Leaf in 1962, and they settled in La Salle, Colorado, where they raised their son, Chris "Spiffy" Leaf, born in 1968. For over 50 years, Sally was a fixture on La Salle's 5th Street where her front door and kitchen were always open to the neighborhood boys Chris befriended. Her hospitality extended to the best fed birds and squirrels that had the good fortune to grace her garden, her pride and joy. Sally single handedly kept the local plant nurseries in business every spring with her floral fanfare.
Just as lavish were her Halloween and Christmas yard decorations for which she won several neighborhood awards. She delighted the neighborhood trick-or-treaters, sending them squealing when they discovered the witch perched on her porch was not part of the decor, but rather their mischievous neighbor. Once Sally retired from State Farm Insurance after 40 years of dedicated service, she further poured her heart and soul into her garden, creating an oasis of fountains, art and oh-so-many bird feeders.
Sally always loved the outdoors. The family often went camping and fishing when Chris was young. Her favorite indoor activity involved a slot machine. Even in her later years, Sally would occasionally treat herself to a day at the Black Hawk casinos and would then generously share her winnings.
Her own person from the get go, Sally's independent spirit, big heart, and quick wit was evident from an early age. Uninclined to be reigned in or managed, Sally was a wonderful handful as a child for those tasked with her care. Her feisty spirit combined with her many other endearing qualities made for the most devoted and fun daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt and friend.
Sally spent over five decades of Saturdays from May to October at speedways cheering on her husband and son as they took their place behind the wheel awaiting the green flag. Bundled up on cold bleachers, she faithfully watched every race and then made sure that everyone on the pit crew warmed up via her signature green chili at the end of the races. It was under the lights of the Colorado National Speedway (CNS) that Sally tended to her extended family of choice.
Even after she lost Larry to cancer in 1999, and Chris to tragedy in 2013, Sally still spent her Saturdays at the CNS, working in the pit shack, dispensing tickets and change for as long as she was able. In 2019, Sally moved to Tallahassee to be with her older sister, Nona Dawson, and her niece, Robyn Flowers, who cared for Sally in her final years. While fond of Tallahassee, Sally never stopped missing the compass of her Rocky Mountains to the west.
Sally is survived by her sister, Nona Dawson; step-daughter Maureen Young; nieces Elizabeth Dawson, Robyn Flowers, Robin Lambert, Desire Leaf, Lynette Natto, and Laura Jane Rubino; and, nephews Stephen Dawson, Justin Leaf, Alan Nickerson, and Bradley and Gary Peterson; and, their respective families. She is also survived by her pit crew family of Andrew Bolt, Dan Gehring, Matt Fox, Clarence Krieger, Randy and Steve Palmer, and Rex Walker. Sally was preceded in death by her older sister, Charlotte Peterson.
A celebration of the irrepressible Sally Leaf will be held in June 2026, in Colorado, the details of which will be forthcoming via an update to this obituary. (Please check back in January 2026 for the celebration of life details.) Sally's ashes will be scattered off of Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park where she cast Chris' ashes many years before.
Sally married Larry Leaf in 1962, and they settled in La Salle, Colorado, where they raised their son, Chris "Spiffy" Leaf, born in 1968. For over 50 years, Sally was a fixture on La Salle's 5th Street where her front door and kitchen were always open to the neighborhood boys Chris befriended. Her hospitality extended to the best fed birds and squirrels that had the good fortune to grace her garden, her pride and joy. Sally single handedly kept the local plant nurseries in business every spring with her floral fanfare.
Just as lavish were her Halloween and Christmas yard decorations for which she won several neighborhood awards. She delighted the neighborhood trick-or-treaters, sending them squealing when they discovered the witch perched on her porch was not part of the decor, but rather their mischievous neighbor. Once Sally retired from State Farm Insurance after 40 years of dedicated service, she further poured her heart and soul into her garden, creating an oasis of fountains, art and oh-so-many bird feeders.
Sally always loved the outdoors. The family often went camping and fishing when Chris was young. Her favorite indoor activity involved a slot machine. Even in her later years, Sally would occasionally treat herself to a day at the Black Hawk casinos and would then generously share her winnings.
Her own person from the get go, Sally's independent spirit, big heart, and quick wit was evident from an early age. Uninclined to be reigned in or managed, Sally was a wonderful handful as a child for those tasked with her care. Her feisty spirit combined with her many other endearing qualities made for the most devoted and fun daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt and friend.
Sally spent over five decades of Saturdays from May to October at speedways cheering on her husband and son as they took their place behind the wheel awaiting the green flag. Bundled up on cold bleachers, she faithfully watched every race and then made sure that everyone on the pit crew warmed up via her signature green chili at the end of the races. It was under the lights of the Colorado National Speedway (CNS) that Sally tended to her extended family of choice.
Even after she lost Larry to cancer in 1999, and Chris to tragedy in 2013, Sally still spent her Saturdays at the CNS, working in the pit shack, dispensing tickets and change for as long as she was able. In 2019, Sally moved to Tallahassee to be with her older sister, Nona Dawson, and her niece, Robyn Flowers, who cared for Sally in her final years. While fond of Tallahassee, Sally never stopped missing the compass of her Rocky Mountains to the west.
Sally is survived by her sister, Nona Dawson; step-daughter Maureen Young; nieces Elizabeth Dawson, Robyn Flowers, Robin Lambert, Desire Leaf, Lynette Natto, and Laura Jane Rubino; and, nephews Stephen Dawson, Justin Leaf, Alan Nickerson, and Bradley and Gary Peterson; and, their respective families. She is also survived by her pit crew family of Andrew Bolt, Dan Gehring, Matt Fox, Clarence Krieger, Randy and Steve Palmer, and Rex Walker. Sally was preceded in death by her older sister, Charlotte Peterson.
A celebration of the irrepressible Sally Leaf will be held in June 2026, in Colorado, the details of which will be forthcoming via an update to this obituary. (Please check back in January 2026 for the celebration of life details.) Sally's ashes will be scattered off of Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park where she cast Chris' ashes many years before.
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