Carol Leighton

Carol Leighton, 55, of Encinitas, CA, passed away peacefully on October 8th, 2024, in the presence of a small group of family and friends.

Though Carol’s life was cut short, it was extraordinarily full. She was born in Seaham, County Durham, England on February 3rd, 1969, to Mrs. Carol Leighton (formerly Kennedy) and Mr. Stewart Leighton. Her brother Christopher joined the family four years later.

Carol blazed a trail for her family in education and lifelong learning. She attended school in Seaham, England, where she excelled, followed by King’s College London for a degree in pharmacy, and the Royal Free Hospital, London for a Ph.D. She then forged a stellar career in drug information, publishing, product management, and marketing, also obtaining an MBA. She worked for companies across three continents, ultimately reaching Chief Product Officer.

Carol loved travel and lived phases of her life in the northeast of England, London (England), Seattle, Auckland (New Zealand), St. Louis, Denver, San Diego, Hoboken, and Los Angeles. North County San Diego was her chosen home for her retirement, which began shortly before her passing.

Carol developed deep and loving relationships with so many. Her family and friends knew her as warm, refined, intelligent, and caring. She also had a sharp wit, love of fun and silliness, and devilish sense of humor, which delighted those around her. Her loves in life spanned travel, reading, gardening, interior design, fine food (not cooked by herself), and all things cat.

Carol was robbed of her golden years by a short but vicious battle with metastatic colon cancer, which she fought with great courage. She is survived by her loving mother Carol (and husband Frank), father Stewart (and wife Eileen), brother Chris, sister-in-law Jackie, and nephew Austin; close friends Jan, Amelia, Charlotte, Lindy, and Barbara (and the rest of her “Southern California family”); and beloved black-and-white cats Milo and Elliott.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, her family support donations to causes close to Carol’s heart, and urge all to embrace colon cancer screening. A Celebration of Life will be held in the San Diego area in the coming months; for further details contact her brother at leighton@umn.edu.