Lillian Faye (Oglesby) Heighton

Faye Heighton, born Lillian Faye Oglesby, passed away quickly in the early hours of December 14th, 2021.

The eldest of five siblings, mother of five daughters, stepmother to three sons, and three daughters, grandmother to literally dozens of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and mother figure and friend to all who knew her, she leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, fun, and adventure.

Born November 11th, 1939, to Richard and Doloras Oglesby, Faye packed enough life into her 82 years, for five lifetimes. A fan of cruises, camping, amusement parks, Jeopardy (heaven help you if you interrupted,) comedy clubs, movies, crossword puzzles, travel, jokes, dancing, and cooking (she could have opened a restaurant, if she did say so herself.) Faye delighted in sharing her adventures with those she loved. Her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews recall many outings and fun times shared with their “crazy mom/grandma/aunt.” The ultimate testament to her love of adventure being that she passed in Benson, Arizona, while traveling in a 34 foot RV (which she drove) with her daughter Karen.

 A survivor of childhood abuse, Faye managed to overcome these circumstances, and made family her first priority throughout her life. Faye, however, was never one to limit her definition of family to conventional terms. She first married Don Reynolds in 1954, with whom she had three daughters, Karen, Kathryn, and Karlene, who survive her. She also had a son, Kevin, and daughter Deborah, who tragically died in infancy. In 1963, Faye married Bill Andrews, and had two more daughters, Kristina and Patricia, who also survive her. Faye married for the last time in 1982 to David Heighton, father to Dorothy, David, Victoria, Valerie, James, and Stephen. Over the years she also took in a multitude of nieces, nephews, and friends. In Faye’s heart there were no halves, steps, adoptees, in-laws, or surrogates; if she loved you, you were her family, and her door was always open.

A woman of deep faith, Faye belonged to several Christian churches through the years,  and with David joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day saints. They were sealed to each other in 1999.

In her youth, Faye worked predominantly as a food server, which afforded her flexible hours to raise her family. However, in later years she found her true calling in caring for others, working in hospice care, and volunteering for NODA (No One Dies Alone) where she would sit with patients in their last moments of life, when family and friends were not available. She also enjoyed volunteering for, and participating in other organizations, including PTA, The Red Hat Society, and The Randall Theatre of Medford Oregon.

A nomad at heart, Faye lived in a wide variety of places throughout her life. Born in Bell, California, Faye also lived in Rock Island, Illinois; several cities in California, including Long Beach, Alhambra, Costa Mesa, Bellflower, Norwalk, and La Mirada; and Medford Oregon.

Faye was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Doloras Oglesby, husband David Heighton, siblings Kathryn Christie, Lois Coile, and Edward Oglesby, and Children Kevin and Deborah Reynolds.

She is survived by siblings Samuel Richard and Margaret Oglesby, and Kathleen and D.W. Nesper, children Karen Bush, Kathryn and Alphonso Morales, Karlene Robins, Kristina and Tom Korth, Patricia and Guy van Empel, Dorothy Geist, David and Margaret Heighton, Valerie and Jeff Cullison, Victoria and Peter Firth, James and Cathey Heighton, and Stephen Ray, and over 100 grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

A memorial will be held February 19th, 2022, in Alhambra, California. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the American Red Cross and Muscular Dystrophy Association.

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