Mary Alice Riddle Leithead, 93, passed away on September 3, 2026, leaving behind a lifetime of family, faith, music, creativity, hard work, laughter and wonderful memories.

Mary Alice was born August 6, 1933, in Forsyth, Montana, to Francis Earl Riddle and Faye Lynette Koch Riddle. She grew up alongside her sister, Louise, and brother, Earl. In 1937, the family moved to five acres on Rehberg Lane in Billings, Montana, where Mary Alice spent much of her childhood.

Music became an important part of her life at an early age. Her family purchased an old piano for $35, beginning a lifelong love of playing.

Money was scarce, and at times her piano lessons were paid for with produce from the family garden. Her talent eventually led her to perform on the radio and at the Governor’s Ball. She continued sharing her music throughout her life and especially loved playing the piano side by side with her grandchildren. The piano that started it all remains in the family to this day.

Mary Alice married the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Leithead, on March 27, 1953. Their early married years took them to Greybull and Powell, Wyoming, before they made a life-changing move to West Yellowstone, Montana, in March 1958.

West Yellowstone became much more than a place Mary Alice lived; it became an important part of her life and the story of her family. She and Bob built their life there, raised their family and became part of the community.

In the late 1970s, Mary Alice and Bob started West Service Center, a plumbing and appliance business in West Yellowstone, working side by side to build and operate the family business.

Mary Alice was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout her life. She was especially active in the Church during her many years in West Yellowstone, where she participated in Relief Society, shared her musical talents by playing the piano, enjoyed quilting and the fellowship of her church community. After leaving West Yellowstone, she continued in her faith, which remained an important and meaningful part of her life.

Mary Alice and Bob were the parents of six children: Steven, Michael, Harry, Cynthia, Donald “Donnie” and Troy. Their family experienced heartbreaking losses, including sons Michael and Harry in infancy and, later, their son Steven. Through the joys and sorrows of life, family remained at the center of Mary Alice’s world.

Mary Alice was rarely one to sit still. She was energetic, creative and always up for a good time. She never met a stranger and could tell a story — and she had many. She treasured the adventures she shared with family and friends, including trips to Lake Powell with Jerry and Verlene Schmier and many memorable adventures with Lee and Charlotte Rockhill.

She had a lifelong passion for sewing and quilting. In 1982, she opened her own fabric shop, Busy Bee Fabrics. The name could not have suited her better — Mary Alice was always “busy as a bee.” Whether she was sewing, quilting, playing the piano, working on a new project or heading off on another adventure, she brought energy and enthusiasm to everything she did.

After their many years in West Yellowstone, Mary Alice and Bob spent their summers in Joliet, Montana, and their winters in Yuma, Arizona.

After Bob passed away, Mary Alice made St. George, Utah, her full-time home, where she bought a small patio home and devoted much of her time to genealogy and family history. She spent countless hours researching her family’s past, preserving photographs, memories and stories, and creating family books for relatives and friends.

Seven years ago, Mary Alice returned to Billings, Montana, to be closer to family and friends and made her home at Westpark Village. There, she continued to share her love of music by playing the piano and enjoyed the friendships and community that became an important part of her later years.

One of Mary Alice’s greatest gifts to her family was her determination to preserve their history. At the age of 92, she completed her own family history book on October 25, 2025. In it, she left a simple message for those who would come after her: “This record is for you.”

Those words say so much about Mary Alice. She knew that family history was more than names and dates. It was the funny stories, adventures, photographs, hardships, celebrations and ordinary moments that made a life. By writing them down, she gave her family something of herself that will remain with them for generations.

Mary Alice is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Leithead; sons, Donald “Donnie” Leithead (Rachel) and Troy Leithead; and daughter-in-law, Heidi Leithead-Villa.

She is also survived by her grandchildren, Lindsay Murray (Jimmy), Britni McDonnell, Stephani Buckley (Tyler), Kylee McDonnell, Camellia Shanee Gressett (Brad), and Marshall Leithead (Shelby); her

great-grandchildren, Hadlie Leithead and Adeline Gressett; and a great-grandson expected in March to Marshall and Shelby Leithead.

She is also survived by her sister, Louise Graff; brother, Earl Riddle (Sandy); her beloved nieces, nephews and cousins; extended family; and the many, many friends she made throughout her life.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert “Bob” Leithead; her sons, Steven, Michael and Harry Leithead; and her parents, Francis Earl Riddle and Faye Lynette Koch Riddle.

Our family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the caring staff at Westpark Village for the kindness, compassion and friendship they showed our mother. The loving care they provided and the many ways they enriched her days meant more to our family than words can express. We are also deeply grateful to the compassionate team at Compassus Home Health for the comfort, dignity and support they provided during her final days.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Mary Alice’s memory may make a donation to the West Yellowstone Foundation, a community that held a special place in her heart.

West Yellowstone Foundation
P.O. Box 255
West Yellowstone, MT 59758 
wyfoundation@gmail.com 406-646-1152