Leanne Heaton passed away, at her home, in Butler, PA, on March 2, 2023.
She was born on December 14, 1951, In Ridgeway, PA to the late Robert R. Heaton and the late Marion McGinnis Heaton. She was also preceded by aunts, uncles, and a number of cousins.
Leanne graduated from Butler Area Senior High School in 1969. She was a 1973 graduate of Thiel College and was active in the Thiel College Choir when it toured in the USA and Europe under the direction of Dr. Marlowe W. Johnson. Leanne also took courses at Penn State University, Butler County Community College (BC3), Point Park College, and the State University College of New York – Oswego.
Leanne was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, Butler, where she was the soprano section leader in the church choir, the church session, and other subcommittees. She also helped with the Underground Railroad tours at the church. When in Naples, Florida, she attended and sang with the Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church. She formerly had served as choir director at Trinity Presbyterian Church, in Butler, where she also served as Sunday school teacher, deacon, and elder.
Leanne worked at RHGL, Inc., which she shared ownership with her father. She retired from Sprint in 2004, after 27 years. While employed by Sprint, Leann worked for ten years in Carlisle, PA, where she was an active member of First Presbyterian Church, serving as deacon, Sunday school teacher, and choir member.
Leanne was a former president of the Blazing Star Choral Society. On occasion, she was a soloist and emcee for the Choral Society’s Programs. She helped the blind transcribe music in braille to enable them to participate in the Choral Society and church choir.
Leanne was also a board member of the Mars Home for Youth, the Penn Theater Trust, and the Butler County Symphony Orchestra of which she wrote reviews for the Butler Eagle. She sang in many local productions over the years, including Butler Musical theatre Guild’s production of “Fiddler on the Roof” and Brigadoon.” In 2005, she appeared on the BC3 stage as Prince Orlofsky in the operetta “Die Fledermaus.” She was a vocal student of Donald J. Rasely.
Leanne was a creative writer, she drew art illustrations, and her favorite season was Christmas. She wrote poetry and was working on her own children’s storybook plus drawing the illustrations. Often, she entertained the Butler Chapter of the Shriners annual Christmas dining telling stories and singing. She also sang with the Naples Florida Philharmonic Chorus during her visits to Florida.
In addition to singing, Leanne loved listening to all genres of music, especially classical performances. She was a season subscriber to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and attended Pittsburgh Opera productions with her friend plus other theatrical productions.
Leanne was an avid amateur photographer using her keen photogenic eye during extensive travels in Europe and the USA. She was also an avid reader, enjoyed languages, swimming, scuba diving, and antique cars.
Leanne had a love for animals, especially her papillon, Angel. One of the final things she did was to award a major grant to the Butler K-9 Unit in 2022.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at 12:00 (noon) at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 230 East Jefferson St., Butler, PA 16001 with Rev. John C. R. Silbert, officiating.
Entombment was held at the Chapel of Devotion at Butler County Memorial Park.
Arrangements were entrusted to Thompson-Miller Funeral Home, Inc., 124 East North Street, Butler, PA 16001.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the donor’s favorite charity.
Online condolences may be made at www.thompson-miller.com.