Virginia Leighty

Virginia Anna Leighty, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on July 20, 2011 with her children at her side. She was born October 1, 1919 in Orland, CA to Anna and Ansel Sanford. Virginia graduated from Orland High School in 1937, where she enjoyed tennis, bicycling and violin. She met her husband of 53 years, Jesse Merle Leighty Sr. while working at the J.C. Penny Co. Jesse Merle, a native of Ohio served in WWII in the Army. Upon his return, Virginia and Merle established their home in Chico in 1945. Virginia worked as she raised her family and enjoyed property management. She also delighted in her retirement years, helping out in sales in the Indian Store of her daughter, Janice in Los Gatos, CA. Virginia was an avid gardener, who loved her yard and flowers and her pet poodle, Misha. Virginia is preceded in death by her parents, Anna and Ansel Sanford; her husband, Jesse Merle; sisters, Charlotte, Annabelle and Marie; brothers, Ansel, Allen and Charles, and her grandson, Luke (son of Janice.) Virginia is survived by her children, Merle (Shirley) Leighty and Richard (Janet) Leighty, both of Chico, Carol (Steve) Calhoun of Vernonia, OR, and Janice (Ken) Benjamin of Los Gatos; five grandchildren, Mendy (Jesse) Beardsley, Mike Leighty, Harley (Jennifer) Leighty, Brooke (Jerry) Johnson, all of Chico, and Michael Calhoun of Vernonia, OR; step- granddaughters, Shawn Benjamin of Oakland and Hillary Benjamin of New York City; great-grandchildren, Ashley (Tim) Dean, Maddie Leighty, Weston Leighty and Josie Leighty, and many beloved nieces and nephews. A Rosary will be held at Brusie Funeral Home on Monday, July 25, 2011 at 7 p.m. with a visitation from 5 - 8 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 26th at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Interment will follow at the Orland Oddfellows Cemetery.