Joyce (Jo) Leighton

Jo was born in Boise, Idaho, on September 23, 1942: the second of six children born to Lorraine and Orville Vincent.

She passed away in Boise, Idaho, on January 29, 2023 from end stage cardiac disease.

Jo was raised with her family in Meridian, Idaho, where she also attended school. In 1962, she married Wylie Leighton, Jr., and their two families were blended. Jo added her daughter, Connie, to the mix, and Wylie added Randy, Tani, and Bug. Four years later, the family welcomed Bart. During their 52 years of marriage, Jo and Wylie lived in Eagle, Star and Garden Valley. While living in the valley, Jo worked in the local school district lunch program.

After retiring, the couple moved to Garden Valley. They loved their home and  community, and rarely left, unless they needed something in Boise. They also enjoyed many hunting and fishing trips together, and with friends.

In 1996, Jo and Wylie purchased the Country Inn, a small cafe along the Banks Lowman highway. They both worked extremely hard, seven days a week, to make it a success. Jo was known for her homemade donuts and cinnamon rolls. She and Wylie loved serving the locals, as well as getting to know those traveling through the area. After 8 years of restaurant ownership, they sold the cafe. Not ones to sit still for long, however, they acquired the contract to deliver mail in the Banks, Crouch and Garden Valley area. They enjoyed talking with their neighbors along the route, and being out in the open air each day. After Wylie’s passing in 2014, Jo continued to deliver the mail for several more years, before retiring. Still, she didn’t sit down for long. She sold home baked goods and candies from the Hardware store in Crouch for 2 or 3 years before she could no longer physically work.

Jo was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Wylie, and a granddaughter, Alicia.

She is survived by her daughter, Connie Taylor, son, Bart Leighton, stepson, Randy Leighton, and step daughters, Tani Nelson and Bug Walker. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild, and her five siblings Shirley, Don, Tom, Bob, and Bill . The family would like to express its deepest gratitude to Jo’s caregiver, Lorri Wilson, for her compassion, care and kindness.

No services are planned at this time.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bowman Funeral Parlor of Garden City.