Leah Acton

Leah Kim Acton

Leah Kim Acton, 53, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, passed away peacefully in her sleep during the early hours of Thursday, July 13, 2023. Leah was born Friday, November 7, 1969 to Edmond O'Neil Powers and Jacqueline Rae (Porter) Powers in El Paso, Texas, while her father was stationed at Fort Bliss. She was raised in Richland, Washington, and often expressed fond memories of growing up in proximity to grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. She attended Richland High School and graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education, in 1994. At the time of her passing, she was working to finish her Masters of Arts, Mathematics Education (K-6), from Western Governors University and was on schedule to graduate by September 2024. On Saturday, June 10, 1995, Leah married Gregory Mitchell Acton in the Bountiful, Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Leah was very supportive of her husband and delighted in all five of their children: Mitchell (25), William (23), Wesley (19), Shelby (16), and Kelsey (13). She took extraordinarily good care of her family and actively encouraged each of them to develop their talents and pursue their dreams. Leah completed her student teaching in Provo, Utah and taught at several elementary schools over her career, including Maeser (Provo, UT), Collet Park, Marie Hughes, John Baker, S.R. Marmon, Alice King, and Desert Willow Family School. Most recently, Leah was a 5th Grade STEM teacher at Explore Academy. Leah took great satisfaction in her career as a teacher, especially in implementing innovative methods for teaching math. She loved each one of her students and was loved by them. Graceful, relaxed, and without guile, Leah was a friend to all. She was unfailingly cheerful, "bubbly," optimistic, vivacious, and enthusiastic about life. She made a lot of what her daughter Kelsey calls "mom jokes." She loved learning and sought after and embraced technology. Her decisiveness made her excellent at planning and logistics, and she had a remarkable ability to distill and clarify complex information. Her ability to find lost things is legendary, and she was the go-to person in the home for debugging technology. Leah enjoyed traveling, especially to temple open houses with her family. She frequently traveled to visit loved ones in Texas and Utah and recently enjoyed a Caribbean cruise with her husband. She was looking forward to an upcoming trip to spend time with dear friends in Michigan. Leah also enjoyed gardening, hiking, and cooking delicious meals. She enjoyed the companionship of her dogs, Lucy and Nikki, and loved nature, especially the ocean. A dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Leah had a deep and abiding testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She served faithfully and diligently in many church callings, including as Primary President and Young Women President. She prayed and studied the word of God daily, alone and with her family, and taught her children to follow her example.

Leah is survived by her husband, Greg, their five children, her parents, Ed and Jacque, of Amarillo, Texas, her brother, Neil, of Richland, Washington, and many cousins, extended family members, and friends.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 22nd at 11:00 a.m. at the Sage Street Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (8130 Sage Rd SW, Albuquerque, NM 87121) with a viewing from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. A graveside service will be held Saturday, July 29, 2023 at 11:00 AM in American Fork Cemetery 600 North, Center Street, American Fork. A viewing will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 AM at Anderson & Sons Mortuary, 49 East 100 North, American Fork prior to the service.

Please share a memory in Leah's Geust Book.