Leslie Harward

Leslie Ann Harward, our beautiful wife, mother and grandmother passed away unexpectedly (though her health had been in decline for the past few years) on April 1, 2016.  She was born July 24, 1959 to Lamar Stewart Hills Jr. and Pauline Beard Hills in Provo, Utah. She was the second of four children. Leslie graduated from Orem High School in 1977 and then attended and graduated from Brigham Young University with a 4-year Registered Nurse degree and completed Nurse Practitioner graduate work. Leslie was an accomplished pianist, was Miss Orem in 1978 and an attendant to Miss Utah, winning the talent award.

In the fall of 1979, Leslie met the love of her life, Kelly A. Harward in the BYU library. Kelly and Leslie were married in the Salt Lake Temple for time and eternity on August 15, 1980 and made their home in Sandy, Utah until 1994 when they moved to Layton. Kelly and Leslie have four children: Natalie (Patrick), Jacob (Rebecca), Joshua (Laura), and Whitney; 7 grandchildren and two due in July. She taught piano to hundreds of students over 17 years and organized children’s singing & performing groups.  Leslie worked as a nurse for several years and then worked as a pharmaceutical rep for 8 years.

Leslie sacrificed her life for her children. She was a very dedicated mother ensuring that each one of them succeeded in all of their endeavors. Leslie was the life of any party. She brought so much energy to any gathering and had a keen ability to make everyone she came in contact with feel special. Leslie was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving as Young Women’s President, Sunday School Teacher, Choir Director, and Primary Music Chorister.  She also served at the Joseph Smith Memorial building for years by playing the piano. She had unwavering faith in the Savior, Jesus Christ and was a great example of love, service and grit.

Over the past several years Leslie focused her energies on her family and organized many family get-togethers, birthday parties, holiday dinners, and family trips.  She especially enjoyed the family trips to the Tetons.

Leslie will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her but her influence and love will be with us forever.

Leslie is survived by her husband Kelly, her children, her grandchildren, her two brothers Brad (Cindy) Hills and Greg (Sherrie) Hills and her Sister Stephanie (Kevin) Asay. She is preceded in death by her parents Lamar and Pauline Hills and Kelly’s parents who loved her like a daughter, Herschel J. and Karla Harward.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 9, 2016 at 11 a.m. at the Cherry Lane Chapel, 2680 E. Cherry Lane, Layton, Utah.  Friends may visit family Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.  Interment, Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery, 1950 E. 10600 S., Sandy, Utah at 3 p.m.