Mary Elizabeth (Leighton) Carter

Mary Elizabeth Carter, 84, of Nampa, ID, passed away peacefully at home of natural causes on April 7, 2023, surrounded by her children.

Mary was born on September 30, 1938, to Murray F. and Olive Leighton in Colville, WA. The family later moved to Walla Walla, WA, before settling permanently in Nampa, ID.

She married George Baker, and together they had two daughters, Barbara Ann and Vicki Lynn, before divorcing. She later married her second husband, Jack Carter. They had daughters Jaclyn Kaye and Pamela Dawn and son (Jack) Nathan.

Known for her fiery but loving disposition and amazing cooking, Mary was a mother and grandmother to many, even beyond her blood relatives. She loved being surrounded by her grandchildren and took joy in seeing them grow and sharing her skills in cooking, knitting, sewing, and so many other talents. We’ll all miss the large, busy family gatherings that were her yearly birthday celebrations and the love she shared, but she has left behind a vibrant and growing family as her legacy.

Mary is predeceased by her parents, her brother Murray “Bud” Leighton, her sister Violet “Vi” Curtis, her daughter Vicki Pate, and her granddaughter Sandy Pendell.

She is survived by her children Barbara (Marty) Ward, Jackie (Gene) Navarro, Pam Carter, and Nathan (Aimee) Carter and grandchildren Cristina “Tina” Frost, Thomas Smith, Rabecka Flett, Tina Lomeli, Bambi Halcom, Cecelia Brodhecker, Jack David “J.D.” Sayler, Donovan Sayler, Christopher Sayler, Kaitlyn Navarro, Casey Carter, Kelly Sue Lambeth, Anthony Carter, Alex Carter, Drea Carter, Hunter Carter, and Brandon Carter, as well as 35 great grandchildren and 12 great great grandchildren.

A public viewing will be held between 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 21, at Nampa Funeral Home Yraguen Chapel, 415 12th Ave S, Nampa, ID, with a service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will immediately follow at Kohlerlawn Cemetery in Nampa.

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