Helen LaRee DeMille Leavitt

Helen Laree DeMille Leavitt, 90, passed away in her home surrounded by loved ones on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. She was born on February 19, 1934, to Conrad and Margaret DeMille. She was married then later sealed to Rodney Erwin Leavitt for time and all eternity in the St. George, Utah temple. Helen was raised in Orderville, UT, and moved to Washington, UT then settled down in Gunlock, UT with her husband, Rod. Together, they raised 5 children: Lamar, LaRee, Jay, Reed, and Cindy.

Helen was a nurturer and never turned anyone (or any animal) away when they needed help, and often helped by providing meals for those in need. Throughout her life, she loved gardening and cooking food to make sure that everyone was well-fed. She always had plenty of food in her home for anyone who stopped by to visit and made many meals for neighbors, family, and friends throughout her life. She was especially known for growing tomatoes in her garden, making homemade bread and pickles, and baking pies at Thanksgiving, making extra cherry pies every year for each of her children to take home. Food was one of her ways to express love for her family and friends, as well as all of the animals that found her. In recent years, she found and adopted a pregnant cat and all of the kittens, bottle-feeding them to become healthy and strong. She kept four of the cats, including the mama cat, and they were a great comfort to her these last few years.

Helen had a special talent for making people feel welcomed and accepted, whether they were family, friends, or neighbors. Her hospitality and compassion came naturally. Any responsibility she had in her church, family, and life, she saw as an opportunity to show her love for the people around her and God. She accepted callings to help and serve people and make sure they knew they were loved and cared for in this life.

Helen loved being busy and worked hard her whole life. However, she also enjoyed joking around with people, especially her grandchildren. She had a great sense of humor, a bright mind, and loved telling far-fetched stories. Many of her grandchildren recall these silly and sometimes scary stories fondly.

More than anything, Helen loved her family, especially all of the kids that visited her. She always made sure that there were plenty of toys and snacks in her home for the grandkids and great-grandkids, and she loved watching them play and run around the yard. Many of her grandchildren recall that grandma’s phone number was the first they ever learned, so they could call grandma to tattle on their parents and siblings. Nothing could stop her from helping her kids and grandkids. As her family sat together reminiscing about her the day she passed, the memories shared highlighted Helen’s love and compassion for her family and fellow humans. She never expected anything in return, and just wanted to make sure that everyone was cared for and loved.

At the end of her life, Helen was surrounded by her family and loved ones, including her special cat who comforted her as she passed into the next life. She will be unmeasurably missed by her family on earth but is surely receiving a warm welcome from her parents, husband, siblings, and other loved ones in heaven. Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Rod; her son-in-law, Jim Litson; her siblings John DeMille, Lamar DeMille, Loa Brinkerhoff, Wallace DeMille, Leland DeMille, Wanda Bowers, and Vonda DeMille (baby); and all of her husband’s siblings. She is survived by her 5 children, Lamar Leavitt, LaRee (Brad) Peck, Jay (Judy) Leavitt, Reed (Sharlene) Leavitt, and Cindy Litson; 26 grandchildren and grandchildren-in-law; 30 great-grandchildren; and her nephew raised as a brother, Don DeMille.

Funeral services will be Saturday, June 15, 2024, at 2:00 pm, with a viewing from 12:30 - 1:30 pm at the Gunlock, Utah Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 733 N Main St, Gunlock, UT 84733. Interment will take place at the Leavitt family cemetery afterward. 

All of Helen’s family would like to thank Dixie Home Hospice, especially Shalene, Vanessa, Lil, Jaylee, Emily, and all the rest of the staff for their support. A special thanks to Melea Leavitt for taking such good care of grandma in her time of need.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff Street, St. George, Utah. 435-673-2454.

Family and friends are invited to sign Helen’s online guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com