In the early morning hours of Sunday August 20, 2023, our sister Leisa Jammie Adams left us for a joyous reunion in Heaven with our dad, mom, stepdad, grandparents, and other family members she loved.
Leisa was born to Stan J. Adams and Maxine Baker on October 11, 1960, joining a family of three older sisters and one brother in Ogden, Utah.
Her parents later divorced at the age of two, she got a second dad, Richard McQueary whom she loved as her own dad. The family lived for a time in Layton, Kaysville, Nampa Idaho and then moved to South Lake Tahoe, California. Leisa was raised and went through her school years there and learned to love the outdoors and Tahoe.
Early in her teen years she became a babysitter and nanny for several families because of her love for little children. She worked for a brief time for Sears and then decided to move to Utah where her dad and two sisters lived.
For a few years she lived with her grandpa Paul Heywood and was a neighbor to her sister Stanna’s Family. She spent many hours with her nephews Nathan, Chris, Jon, Cameron and her grandpa. She became a caregiver for him in his last years along with her/sister.
In 1984 she started working part time for United Parcel Service in Ogden, Utah. Little did she know it would turn out to be a nearly 40-year career for her.
While working nights she watched her sister Susan’s children so she could work. Leisa helped to raise Clay, Carlie and Cole and loved them dearly. She had a special bond with her nephew Colton which remained strong until her death.
Living in California her sister Leslie would come and bring her nephews Matt, Jake, and niece Sara every summer. Leisa was always glad to see them and loved them so much. She was so happy when her great niece Hazel was born to Sara two months ago.
When her sister Wendy’s children came along, once again Leisa became a caregiver. She loved Marquee, Kylee and Quade and was always there for them. She was anxiously awaiting the birth of another great-niece to be here next month to Kylee. They too were extremely close.
Known as Aunt Leis, her family was everything to her and most especially her nieces and nephews and their families.
Leisa had a love for Labradors and Golden Retrievers, actually she never met a dog she did not like. She had at one time a couple of Beagles and several cats over the years. She loved her cat, Pablo. It was her best friend and her dogs over the years included Sage, Sam, Lily, Emy, and Cooper. They were her kids.
Leisa was never on time for a family event. We often told her it started an hour ahead in hopes she would then be there on time. She made the best white bean chicken Chili and Minestrone soup. Her glazed carrots were her signature dish for holiday dinners.
She was a shopper. It was her happy place. She bought gifts for everyone for Birthday’s, Christmas, or just because. She was always on the lookout for a bargain for someone in the family. The word selfish would never be a word to describe Leisa. She was generous to a fault.
Leisa was a tough cookie sometimes, stubborn as a mule and fiercely independent. If she were mad at you, you knew it. She was strong, smart and quick-witted. She had a tender side and loved hugs and lullabies.
Leisa had an incredible work ethic and was tireless in her dedication and loyalty to UPS. In her nearly 40-year career she made many friends and we often heard about them and how much she cared about them. Sandy, Kelly, Christie, Stephanie, Jeff are just to name a few. She loved her drivers, and they loved her.
Leisa really led a simple life she had a bucket list she never got to do. She worked hard and carried on.
She had a best friend Mike who she talked with nearly every day and really enjoyed his company. She loved watching TV with dad, Birkenstock’s, reading, Hallmark movies and chick flicks or any movie with Sean Connery. She loved embroidery, cross stitch, Barq’s Root beer, the fall season, pumpkins, Ray Dunn mugs, the color pink. Oh, and milk.
After our mother’s death in December 2019, we began to recognize a change in Leisa that steadily became worrisome to us. Little did we know the ugly grip of Lewy Body Dementia was taking hold.
In September of 2022 she retired from UPS and at her Retirement Party they referred to her as “The Legend.”
We often wonder how in the world she managed for so long without much help. We all began to take turns each day to check in on her, help with meals and household needs until we were worried about her safety. In March of this year, she left her home in Layton and moved to Chancellor Gardens memory care facility where she lived until her passing.
We were hopeful that with constant supervision and care she could remain with us for some more time, but the disease had another plan for her and progressed quickly.
Our sister always expressed her gratitude and thanked her care givers and us, every day.
We would also like to express a heart felt “Thank You” to the staff and care givers at Chancellor Gardens and Symbii Hospice.
Leisa was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loved her family above all else and we will miss her every day.
Leisa is survived by her sisters Stanna Weaver, Layton, Utah, Lelsie (Daniel) Wilkins, Palmdale California, Susan (Bruce) Ogden, West Point, Utah, Wendy (Terry) Baker Layton, Utah and brother Destry (Tammy) Las Vegas, Nevada, Aunt Thora Lewis and many nephews and nieces, great nephews and nieces and several cousins.
She was preceded in death by her dad, mother, stepfather, grandparents, brother-in-law DeLynn Weaver and niece Katie Ogden, great nephew Max Weaver also numerous aunts, uncles and cousins that meant a lot to her.
A Graveside service will be held Saturday August 26, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Lindquist’s Memorial Park at Layton 1867 No. Fairfield Road Layton, Utah. Per Leisa’s request there will be no public visitation service.
Saturday, August 26, 2023
11:00am - 12:00 pm (Mountain time)
Lindquist's Memorial Park at Layton
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