Glenna Marie Leavitt

Obituary for Glenna "Marie" Gillins Leavitt

Marie, 82, "danced through life" from April 5, 1943, to November 23, 2025, leaving the world just a little brighter than she found it-mostly because she never stopped smiling.

Born in Beaver, Utah, on the same day, in the same house, and on the very same table as her mother-a fact she loved to share with a mischievous grin-Marie's childhood in Boulder City and her teen years in Henderson were filled with laughter, adventure, and friendships she cherished forever.

Marie learned early that life brings surprises. With her father, Perry Gillins, away serving in WWII until she was three, she famously asked every man in uniform if he was her daddy-much to her mother Betty's embarrassment. When her father finally returned, Marie wasn't entirely convinced she liked this man who had replaced her as her mother's sleeping companion, but she warmed up to him quickly.

She married her sweetheart, Robert (Bob) Rodney Leavitt, and together they raised a family, moved all over the West every 7-ish years, and-most notably-danced. Marie danced everywhere: in classrooms she and her husband taught together, in their living room, at church activities, and anywhere music struck her (including places where there wasn't any music-because she had plenty in her head). Her motto was always, "I bloom wherever I'm planted," and she truly did.

Marie lived in Beaver, UT; Boulder City, NV; Henderson, NV; Las Vegas, NV; Meridian, ID; Sweet, ID; Springdale, UT; Washington, UT; Dolan Springs, AZ; and finally Kuna, ID-and in each place she planted joy, friendship, and a trademark smile that people instantly recognized.

Her career was as colorful as her personality: dispatcher for the Las Vegas Police Department, aide and substitute teacher in Sweet, a special education facilitator in Dolan Springs, and later-and most notably her favorite-served as a temple worker in both Las Vegas and Boise. She volunteered at the Kingman hospital, served on the Kuna Library Board, and held many church callings. Serving was one of the passions of her life. Whether helping children, offering a warm welcome in the temple, or teaching the gospel, she served with her whole heart.

Marie's life was a celebration of the little things: she believed in dessert first, in dancing in the kitchen, and in finding joy wherever she went. She was the kind of mom who would tape sweet notes to your lunch, the kind of grandma who'd let you eat brownies for breakfast, and the kind of friend who'd show up with a smile and a story just when you needed it most. And if you ever shared a hotel room with Marie, you knew the rule: everyone had to jump on the bed at least once-just because it was fun.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Perry and Betty Gillins; her husband, Bob Leavitt; her daughter-in-law, Marie Leavitt; her granddaughter-in-law, Joanna Gull; and her twin great-grandsons, Lucretius and Perseus Leavitt.

She is survived by her children-Lori Gull, Robert (Bob) Leavitt, Cristina (Cristi) Hinman, and Benjamin (Ben) Leavitt-her beloved children-in-law, Kenneth (Ken) Gull, Sheila Leavitt, Tara Hinman, and Melinda Leavitt, and her brother, P. Wayne Gillins, as well as 18 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren, all of whom she loved as her own.

Marie leaves behind a legacy of kindness, laughter, and unconditional love. Her funeral will be a celebration of her life-just as she insisted it should be. If you come, bring your brightest smile, your best dance moves, and a story to share. Marie would want nothing less than a room full of joy, laughter, and love.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 on Saturday, November 29th, at the LDS church at 224 E. Avalon St., Kuna, ID, 83634.