In Loving Memory
1947•2026
Leanne Harrison Giles
December 10, 1947 – June 2, 2026
Leanne Harrison Giles, beloved wife of Peter, mother, grandmother, sister, and faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, passed away peacefully on June 2, 2026, at the age of 78.
Leanne was born on December 10, 1947, to Curt and Deanne Harrison in Provo, Utah. She was the oldest of their five children and grew up moving between Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Palo Alto, California. She excelled in sports, home economics, and public speaking. From an early age, her father described her as a doer. She was someone who could sense what her family and friends needed before they knew they needed it. She was a capable oldest daughter, helping care for her younger siblings with quiet confidence and a giving heart. These qualities, along with her deep faith in Jesus Christ, guided her throughout her life.
Leanne continued her education at Brigham Young University, where she met and married the love of her life, Peter Giles, on September 10, 1968. They built a loving family together for 57 years and were blessed with eight children, whom she cherished deeply. In the 1970s, with three children aged five and under in tow, she moved with Peter to Tehran for a year. She gave birth to their daughter Afton while there. This was an early glimpse of the fearless, go-anywhere spirit that defined her life; on their return home, Leanne insisted they fly east from Iran so she could travel around the world, herding four young children and 19 pieces of luggage.
Leanne had a remarkable gift for making each of her children feel valued and seen. She made sure her children could cook, clean, and contribute to a happy home. She filled her home with hundreds of children's books she loved to read aloud, cheered at countless sporting events, scouting ceremonies, and performances, stayed up late to sew costumes and knit sweaters, and found simple ways to make each child feel loved in a house that was rarely quiet. One of her guiding beliefs was that every member of a family contributes to a happy and loving home, each with their own unique gifts.
Although Leanne always considered Palo Alto home, she and Peter shared a lifelong love of worldwide travel; particularly Hawaii, where they lived in both Hilo and Maui and where she devoted herself to serving others. Her love for the Hawaiian people moved her to action. After Hurricane Iniki devastated Kauaʻi in September 1992, she went door to door to local Palo Alto businesses, personally asking for and receiving tens of thousands of pounds of relief supplies and Christmas toys. She then convinced the U.S. Navy to deliver them to the island of Kaua’i.
Leanne served her congregation faithfully in many capacities, including as Relief Society President, Primary President, Seminary Teacher, Primary Teacher, and Nursery Leader. But her faith was never confined to a calling. She lived what might be called a pragmatic Christianity; she was always looking for those in need and quietly pitching in to help, regardless of whether it was her responsibility. Leanne and Peter also committed their lives to regular family reunions, traveling together, and celebrating milestones as a family. They journeyed through many adventures, job changes, and evolving muumuu styles along the way.
In her later years, she lovingly cared for her own parents and found great joy in watching her children and grandchildren grow. She loved watching movies together, assembling puzzles, building Legos, and listening to them talk about their lives. Two and a half years ago, she was diagnosed with stomach cancer, and she faced that challenge with strength, optimism, and grace. She fought for more time with the people she loved. Her family will be forever grateful for that gift of time. Her love for her family sustained and strengthened all of us.
She is preceded in death by her daughter Amy, her sister Janet, and her parents.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Peter, and their seven children: Adam (Kristy), Jen (Dave), Taylor (Sarah), Afton, Ryan (Jamie), Sara (Carlos), and Kimber (Julian), along with 25 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren who adore her. She is also survived by her siblings, in-laws, and many beloved extended family members including cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 12, 2026, at noon at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 3865 Middlefield Road. A viewing will be held at 11:00 a.m. A private interment will follow at Salt Lake City Cemetery.
The family wishes to thank her ward family for their loving care, friendship, and support of Leanne and all those she loved.
Funeral Services
Friday, June 12, 2026 • Noon
Viewing at 11:00 a.m.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
3865 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto
A private interment will follow at Salt Lake City Cemetery. The family wishes to thank her ward family for their loving care and support of Leanne and all those she loved.
I am so sorry to hear of Leanne's passing. I moved away from Palo Alto many years ago but was happy to see her at get togther's and gatherings through the years. The Harrison's were our best friends in Palo Alto growing up and I am grateful for her friendship ( even tho she was the older sister to my bestie, Janet ) Much love to the Giles family. And to Brian, Ron and Peggy. The Wise family loves you.
Leanne was always a great exemplary person to follow. As a twelve year old I was impressed when she came to our home as high schooler and took care of a family of five kids like it was no big deal! Later as we were raising our own family in Palo Alto she was such an example of how to raise fun, responsible, and spiritually grounded children. They lived just a couple blocks away and welcomed all into their home on Christmas for brunch. Leanne treated everyone like family. Her legacy lives on in her wonderful family!
Leanne was a second mom to me. I spent countless hours at her home, always feeling welcomed as I came in through the side door. I ate at her family picnic table, most memorably "hamburger pie," and received warm hugs from her, for instance, when going off on an adventure with the Scouts. Into the late night during "sleepovers," her son Adam and I watched Benny Hill while she slept. Or maybe she wasn't sleeping but just allowing adolescent boys a little space. Once, she even allowed us to ride off on her moped, though we weren't yet licensed. I was intrigued by the fact that she had a paper route with the Peninsula Time-Tribune. I never watched, but if memory serves, Adam told me that she ran it out of the back of her car with her kids. I always knew that I was loved, admired, and accepted in her presence. Sometimes, we don't get a chance to say goodbye. I was grateful, after her diagnosis, to spend an hour together with her in her home, expressing the love that is difficult to express when you're still a boy with a weak sense of mortality and the passage of time. Her memory will live on in the warmth of kinship manifest in her children and all those she touched. Thank you, Leanne!
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