Mary Lee Middleton passed away Dec. 1, 2023, after a year-long battle with brain cancer. She lived and loved fiercely in life, so something tough like cancer would have to take her down.
Lee was born Aug. 4, 1949, in St. George, Utah, to Burton and Edith Harris Milne, with an older brother George. Lee was predeceased by her parents and brother who all passed before she was 24 years of age.
Her roots are in St. George, Utah, where she was an avid horsewoman and loved the beautiful country there. She raised her daughters in the rodeo world, with both becoming rodeo royalty and winning awards. Lee was involved with many community organizations including the St. George Lions Club, high school rodeo and the 4-H Horsemanship program. She also shared her singing talents in a local country band. Lee’s family, friends and circles from St. George were her army of support in life.
Lee is the mother of two beautiful daughters, Tiffany Sachse and Natalie Kesler, plus grandmother to nine and great-grandmother to three.
Lee had several careers throughout her life, starting at an early age helping her parents at their hotel. Her professional career began at Moore Business Forms in St. George, Utah. After being transferred by Moore Business Forms to Dallas, Texas, she then went on to work for Plano Police Department until retirement in 2021. She loved serving the chief, officers, and people of Plano for 20 years.
On top of a successful career, she used her creative skills to bless many friends and family. She worked as a wedding coordinator, floral designer, professional holiday decorator and mural painter. For her twin granddaughters’ nursery, she painted Noah’s ark as they came two by two. For her grandson’s bedroom, she painted a tree and airplane, and he is still working to be a pilot. Her other grandson’s nursery was a jungle mural. When her daughter lived in Colorado, she painted an Avalanche logo in their home garage as they are huge fans. Her daughters remember her saying “it doesn’t matter what’s in the package, it matters how it was presented.” She had a way of making everything she touched more beautiful.
She married Don Middleton on Oct. 27, 2010, and the two shared many great memories with family, friends and on the golf course. They had close bonds with a group of friends who she considers family in Garland, including Wednesday night dinners and traveling together.
Mary Lee Middleton is survived by her husband Don; her two daughters Tiffany Sachse (Mark) and Natalie Kesler; and her stepdaughter Penny Jenkins. She is survived by grandchildren Jesse Brown (Alyssa), Danny Brown, Paige Sachse, Peyton Sachse, Harrison Sachse and Ryan Kesler. In addition, she’s survived by Don’s grandkids, Tyler Jones (Victoria), Ryan Jones and Madison Jenkins. Her loving outreach extended to previous stepdaughters Patrice Winterholler and Sharisa Lewis and their families.
Graveside service will be held on Friday, Jan. 12, at 2 pm at the St. George City Cemetery, 650 East Tabernacle, St. George, Utah.
The family kindly requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Help a Hero-Fallen First Responders for Plano https://helpahero.com/campaign/in-memory-of-mary-lee-middleton.
Arrangements are under the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221. Visit the Metcalf Mortuary website for condolences, complete obituary and funeral listings.