Maria Theresia Leighton

Maria Theresia Leighton was born on March 10, 1933, in Schweinheim, Germany, to Fritz and Amalia Kullmann and she passed away on July 4, 2024. As the sixth of ten children, Maria’s life journey took her far from her German roots. In 1958, she married David Stewart Leighton, a member of the U.S. Army stationed in Germany. The couple moved to California in early 1960 with their first child, David Alan, and settled in Carmichael, California. Maria was the only member of her family to leave Germany.

Maria had five sons with David; however, twins Frank and Michael died at childbirth. She and David separated in the 1970s and later divorced, and Maria remained a devoted mother to her three surviving sons. Later in her life, Maria faced further loss with the passing of her sons John and Steve who died as adults and far too soon.

Throughout her life in California, she formed a close-knit circle of German friends and relished their coffee klatch gatherings. Maria was a devout Catholic and attended St. John the Evangelist Church in Carmichael for over 50 years. Known affectionately as “Oma” since the birth of her first grandchild in 1991, Maria was a beloved figure in her family. She often shared stories from her youth, reflecting on her experiences growing up in Germany during World War II. Despite the challenges of wartime, she always highlighted the positive moments, offering her family a window into the resilient and hopeful life that would be her legacy.

Maria loved to clean and in her early 20s she worked as a housekeeper in Germany and Switzerland before continuing this work in the Sacramento area later in life. Maria would eagerly don her apron and help with dishes at family gatherings, no matter whose home she was visiting. In fact, the kitchen was always sparkling at the end of each social gathering, thanks to her hard work! Finally, she was always concerned that everyone had enough to eat and had time to rest, which endeared her to all who knew her. 

Maria is survived by her brother Heini Kullmann and sister Christel Klassen, both in Germany; her son Dave Leighton (Jennifer); daughter-in-law Lesley Leighton; four grandchildren, Nick Leighton (Alison), Arielle Mize (Kyle), Emmery Strutzel (Bennett), and Ryanne Leighton; and three great-grandchildren, Maren Mize, Leighton Mize, and Elizabeth Leighton.

Maria will be interred at St. Vincent de Paul Cemetery in Rancho Murieta, California, in a private committal service. A reception open to all will be held in Roseville on September 27, 2024 at 2 p.m. Contact Dave Leighton for further information at 530-867-1661.