Leslie Dee Woodward completed her earthly mission and returned to her heavenly home and the embrace of countless loved ones on April 18, 2019.

She was born March 16, 1959 to Ross and Melene Norton who raised her, the youngest of 5 children in Wellington, Utah. As the youngest child, she had the opportunity to hone her legendary mothering skills as she cared for, entertained, and loved unconditionally many nieces and nephews in preparation for the job she would eventually fulfill better than anyone else, being our Mom. The daughter of a coal miner and police officer, Mom was always well protected, however, that protection couldn’t keep her from the one person her father would allow to steal her away, the love of her life Wayne Woodward. If soulmates exist, Wayne and Leslie were two of them and soon after meeting were inseparable through their teenage years and into adulthood. Mom Graduated from Carbon High School in 1977 and accepted a full-ride scholarship in Drama at The College of Eastern Utah, now Utah State University Eastern where she danced, acted, and made life-long friendships that persist to this day. Mom was loved by all, and loved them back more fiercely than we could ever imagine, her mantra was to treat others with kindness, regardless of what they had done or where they came from.

Leslie and Wayne were sealed for time and all eternity in the Manti, Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on September 6, 1980 and honeymooned in Disneyland, their true home and refuge. Mom passing is also a dark day for the Disney Organization as their theme park revenue is about to sharply drop. Her love of Disney ran deep, which she instilled in each of her children and grandchildren, a love that some unbelievers have characterized as “unhealthy,” a “serious problem,” and “way too much Mickey Mouse for one person to absorb in such a short amount of time, seriously lady how can one person love a mouse so stinking much?” But Mom was always one for a challenge and took in as much Disney Magic as they could muster, a feat they sadly failed as Mom never once, grew tired of that Mouse or his rides.

Mom chose the life of a Mother, having 7 children, and raising them in a chaotic, busy, and joyous home filled with great food, exciting adventures, and more dreams than you could fit in volumes of books. She believed in magic, both literal and figurative, she saw it everywhere, in the stars, in a garden, in movies and books, in church, in her children, and most of all, in her precious grandbabies.

In her life Mom spread that magic in every role she undertook, she organized the Graduation Spectacular event for high school students for three decades, the talents she acquired doing so made her fit to run a fortune 500 company or run for President. Grad Spec was her pride and life’s work and she extended herself tirelessly for half of each year planning themes, getting sponsors, and genuinely caring if students had a fun, safe, and memorable time. There are thousands, and thousands of Carbon High graduates who owe those unforgettable memories to this sweet, caring, and magic superwoman. She also ran her own Preschool for several years, taking the magic she saw in the world and giving it to her students each day.

There are too many memories, too many special events, too many forms of praise that we could attribute to our Mom, but the only thing she would want to be remembered for, is the love she had for her family. Mom loved unconditionally, she loved with passion unmatched, she loved everyone regardless of merit, and she loved us, more than we may ever truly know. Leslie Woodward will always be remembered for her kindness, her love, her generosity, and the magic which she so passionately believed in. She would want us all to take that magic and spread it around, as far and wide as we can. Mom wished on stars, knew that Ohana meant nobody got left behind, could find Neverland, just kept swimming, understood Hakuna Matata, always gave a spoon full of sugar, and she never forgot it was all started by a mouse.

She is preceded in death by her parents Ross and Melene, brother Baby Norton, Grandson Jonathan Woodward, and several precious angel grandbabies all of whom she is undoubtedly swarming with kisses at this moment. Mom is survived by her loving Husband of nearly 39 years Wayne Woodward (Price), Children Christa (Russell) Terry (Riverton, UT), Nicole (Bret) Bennett (Price, UT), Brennen (Ashlee) Woodward (Spanish Fork, UT), Nathaniel (Debbie) Woodward (Salem, OR), Alek Reusch (Riverdale, UT), Madison Woodward (Price, UT), Taylor (Levi) Rutherford (Price, UT), 14 Grandchildren, Brother Barry Norton, Sisters Debbie Hobbs and Cathy LaRose.

Funeral Services have been entrusted to Mitchell’s Funeral Home and will be held Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at 11:00 AM at the Price Utah Stake Center, 150 South 500 East. A viewing will take place Monday night at Mitchell’s Funeral Home from 5-7 PM and immediately prior to services at the Price Utah Stake Center Tuesday from 9:30-10:30. Interment, Cliffview Cemetery, Price.

If you are ever missing Leslie, we will always know where to find her, just follow the second star to the right and go straight on till morning.