Patricia Frances Leighton

She is survived by her two sons, Joel (Georgia-deceased) of Des Plaines and Donald (Elaine) of Barrington; and four grandsons, Matthew, Patrick, Michael and Connor. She was preceded in death by her husband William and her two parents Francis and Hellen (Richardson) Farrell and her brother James Farrell. She was born in Chicago on August 29, 1923 and grew up in Highland Park, IL. Her father died when she was 7 and she went to boarding schools in Illinois and Michigan while her mother worked to support her and her brother.

She attended the University of Michigan, leaving to pursue a career in advertising. She then transitioned into a career in television, eventually landing the lead on air role on the Nancy Dixon show in Detroit MI. She met William Leighton in 1957 in Chicago on a blind date and they went on to marry. They initially moved to Evanston, finally settling in Glenview where they raised their sons. Patricia was active for many years with Town Club of Kenilworth, Hull House in Chicago and the Glenview Library Board, serving as president. She also volunteered for the Art Institute of Chicago and Children’s’ Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

Visitation will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Friday December 21st at St Anne’s Catholic Church, 120 North Ela Street, Barrington IL, in the Chapel, with a memorial mass to follow at 10:00. Interment will be private.