Eagle reviewer, arts enthusiast, remembered
Leanne Heaton, a review writer for the Butler Eagle and supporter of the county arts, died March 2 at age 71.
Friends and colleagues remembered her fondly as a creative and endearing woman, passionate about music and writing.
“She was one of a kind,” said Ione Mathias, a friend of Heaton. “Very determined, very independent, kind and generous. A very spiritual person.”
Heaton was born in Ridgeway, Elk County, and graduated from Butler Area Senior High School in 1969. She was a 1973 graduate of Thiel College and also took courses at Penn State University, Butler County Community College, Point Park College and the State University of New York Oswego.
While at Thiel, Heaton was active in the Thiel College Choir when it toured in the United States and Europe under the direction of Dr. Marlowe W. Johnson. She participated in choirs throughout the rest of her life, most recently as a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Butler. Heaton was the soprano section leader in the church choir.
She also was involved in other committees, including the underground railroad tours at Covenant Presbyterian.
“It’s a big loss for us,” said the Rev. John C.R. Silbert. “She was always a wonderful person. She had a lot of energy and joy and was tremendous worker in the church.”
She had served as president of the Blazing Star Choral Society, where she helped the blind transcribe music in Braille to enable them to participate in the choral society and church choir.
Heaton also was choir director at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Butler.
Her love of music extended beyond church walls, according to members of the Butler County Symphony Orchestra.
John Furman, symphony executive director, said he always looked forward to seeing Heaton’s review of its concerts in the Butler Eagle.
“I would say first and foremost she was a lovely person,” he said. “I had the chance to be friends with her the last few years. She was always a big supporter of what we did, and I’m shocked and saddened to hear she passed. She was considered a friend to the symphony.”
Patricia Stagno, vice president of the symphony association, said Heaton and her father had a lasting relationship with the group.
“She was warm and welcoming. She was a lover of all kinds of music. She was very knowledgeable about classical music, and it gave her the ability to be honest and truthful and complimentary,” she said.
Stagno added that Heaton will be recognized in the program for the symphony’s concert in April called “The Golden Age of Hollywood.”
“You always looked for a good review from Leanne, you know you did a good job. Her reviews helped us get our message across,” Stagno said.
Heaton’s love of the arts extended to photography, musical theater, creative writing and illustrations, while her generous spirit led to involvement in the Mars Home for Youth and the Penn Theater Trust.
Mathias said the legacy Heaton leaves is one of kindness.
“It’s a legacy of a generous woman who loved her family, the arts, and the church,” she said. “She was sitting with us the Sunday before (in church), we’re stunned she won’t be there next Sunday.”
A memorial service for Heaton will be held at noon Saturday, May 13, at Covenant Presbyterian.
