Zaida S. Leighton, Lt. Col. USAF (Ret.)

December 26, 1939 - January 01, 2016

Zaida S. Leighton, Lt. Col. USAF (Ret.) Obituary (Age 76) Zaida was born in Spokane on December 26, 1939 to Roberta and Helmle Sly. She graduated from North Central High School, Eastern Washington State College in Cheney, and St. Elizabeth�s School of Nursing in Yakima, WA. Zaida served as a US Air Force Flight Nurse and was highly decorated after serving in Operation Desert Shield/Storm, retiring as a Lt. Col. She then was a State Nurse for DSHS. Zaida traveled extensively during her time in the military. She was a member of The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, a member of D.A.R, a volunteer at Holmes Elementary School in Spokane, as well as a member of various nursing associations. During the last several months of Zaida�s life, she showed those around her what true courage, bravery and strength looked like. She was preceded in death by her parents and her niece Kelly Bisson. Zaida is survived by her sister Sally (Tony) Wright, niece DeAnna Woolworth, nephews Robert (Meegan) Carlson and Scott (Marriya) Wright, many cousins and other relatives, and her dear friend Ken Schade. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 7th from 10:00am to 5:00pm at Heritage Funeral Home. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, January 8, 2016 at 11:00am at St. John�s Cathedral, 127 E. 12th Ave., Spokane. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Spokane, PO Box 2215, Spokane, WA 99210. � To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Zaida, please visit our Tree Store. Read more Events JAN 1