Portland - Helen Gayle Leighton, age 79, passed away October 10, 2023, in Portland, Maine surrounded by her loving family.  Helen was born April 5, 1944, in Portland and raised on Peaks Island.  Her parents are Marguerite (Reardon) Clark and Fred Clark, both deceased.

Helen graduated from Portland High School in 1962.  She then went to work at Canal Bank in Portland.  She married John E. Leighton in 1962, they were married for 61 years.  They had three children – Dawn Leighton who was murdered in 1998, Julie Chouinard, and John E. Leighton, Jr.

She worked at Zayre's Department Store and Peerless Insurance while raising her family.  Helen enjoyed painting ceramics and she was a parishioner at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.  Helen was also a lifetime member of the National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children.

Helen bravely fought cancer for twelve years of her life.  John and Helen wintered in Venice, Florida for nine years.

She is survived by her husband John, her daughter, Julie, son-in-law David and her son, John Jr.

Helen was a lover of all animals and especially greyhounds.  Donations may be sent in Helen's memory to:

Maine Greyhound Placement Service.  Checks can be mailed to MGPS  231 Old Belgrade Road,
Augusta, Maine 04330.  Please make a note on the check that it is in Helen's memory.

Services will be private.