- Date Of Birth: May 12, 1936
- Date Of Death: September 2, 2021
- State: Utah
Leona “Marie” Pearce Fletcher, Born May 12, 1936 Oakland, California – Passed September 2, 2021 Lehi, Utah.
Marie Fletcher passed gracefully away in her sleep September 2, 2021 in Lehi, Utah. She knew her time was approaching and felt loved ones near who would escort her back to her eternal home on high. A heavenly reunion awaited with her eternal companion LeGrande Fletcher, her sweet daughter Shawntell, and a host of relatives and friends.
Marie was the eldest of four children: Richard, Linda, and Nancy, born to Linford Leroy Pearce and Donna Marie Van Arsdall in Oakland, California. Growing up she enjoyed skating the hills of Oakland, teaching and caring for her younger brother and sisters, and developing a love of reading and learning that continued her entire life. Marie learned to play the piano and became an accomplished musician. Her love of music grew as she used it to help others.
LeGrande and Marie met at church functions in Oakland while he was stationed in the Navy at Alameda, California. She attended BYU as a music major and later renewed her acquaintance with LeGrande after his mission attending BYU together. They courted for the next two years then married in the Los Angeles LDS Temple on June 24, 1957. After moving to Ogden, Utah they had their first child Cherie in 1958. Marie gave birth to an additional 8 cherished children: Lyle, Garen and Galen (twins), Rachelle, Charmaine, David, Shawntell, and Royal. The 9 kids kept her on the run and busy every day. She believed in lifelong learning and her children would often find her behind the bed trying to get in a few pages of reading. Her bookshelves were overstuffed with volumes of treasured knowledge. LeGrande and Marie moved to Southern California where they lived in Long Beach before moving to their newly built home in Huntington Beach. Marie taught piano lessons to neighbor children and her own children. As her children grew, she provided them with musical training to confidently sing together and perform for audiences in a variety of outfits and venues. Marie actively helped her children pursue their various talents from cheerleading, dance, scouting, drama, art, chess, sports, musical instruments, singing, and even allowed one son’s band to play in their garage. When her children were older and began leaving home, Marie worked at the Carden Conservatory private school teaching music to elementary school students.
When all 9 children were grown, LeGrande and Marie expanded their love of sharing the gospel. They served 7 full time missions together as a couple, 5 missions throughout Spain and 2 missions in Nauvoo. Marie became fluent in Spanish and lost her fear of speaking to others as she shared the gospel and ministered to God’s children throughout the world. During their last mission to Nauvoo, they purchased their beloved home overlooking the Mississippi river. Nauvoo became precious to them, and Marie continued to accompany on piano many singers and choirs. In 2017 she and LeGrande moved to Utah, living with their oldest daughter who looked after them in their cute old age. They were constantly awoken from naps and surrounded by visiting grandchildren wanting to pick vegetables in the garden. Bringing joy and brightening the lives of others her entire life, Marie would like to be remembered as someone who helped others along life’s journey. Her legacy continues through her 42 grandchildren and 37 great grandchildren.
Marie was preceded in death by her eternal sweetheart, Lewis “LeGrande” Fletcher, who passed away in December of 2019, as well as her youngest daughter Shawntell, whom we lost in May of this year. She is survived by her 8 children: Cherie (Trent) Nistler, Lyle Fletcher, Garen (Nancy) Fletcher, Galen (Lori) Fletcher, Rachelle Fletcher, Charmaine Fletcher, David Fletcher, and Royal (Adriana) Fletcher, 42 grandchildren and 37 great grandchildren, as well as her daughter “by heart” Laura (Lem) Leavitt and brother Richard Pearce (Debbie) and sister Nancy Ormson (Kerry). Also exchange student Hideki Asari, Navajo students Bryant Begay, and Vivian Bailey.
