Fort Fairfield, Maine - Ella J. Leighton, 80, wife of the late Roger Leighton, passed away unexpectedly, Friday evening, October 31, 2025, at Cary Medical Center, Caribou. She was born May 5, 1945, in St. Francis, the daughter of Isaac V. and Elise (Brownell) Hafford.

Ella attended St. Francis schools and had been a resident of Fort Fairfield for much of her life. She was a communicant of the Parish of the Precious Blood, St. Denis Catholic Church, Fort Fairfield and had been employed by the First National Foods Grocery Store, Fort Fairfield in the late-1960s and early-1970s as general manager, as an accountant for Pelletier Toyota, Caribou, worked part-time at Freme's Jewelry, Caribou, and worked as tax collector and clerk at the Fort Fairfield Town Office for many years. Ella was very dedicated to her church and enjoyed an early morning cup of coffee on her deck. She greatly enjoyed fishing, especially fly fishing and riding ATV's with her family. Ella cherished her years at the Fort Fairfield Town Office, where she got to know and visit with so many members of the community.

In addition to her parents and husband, Ella was predeceased by two sons, Tony A. and Troy A. McDougal; two brothers, Dana and Vincent Hafford; seven sisters, Mary West, Mona O'Neal, Viola Walker, Rose Ackers, Ann Lovely, Christina York, and Ida E. "Blondie" Beaulieu. She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews, including special nieces and nephews, Everett West and his wife, Jaime, of Huntingtown, MD, Paul West, Philip West Jr., Patricia Chasse, Jeff A. Beaulieu, Robert F. Beaulieu, all of Fort Fairfield, Michael J. Beaulieu of Presque Isle, Dale Beaulieu and his wife, Stephanie, and Lisa Campbell, all of Fort Fairfield; grandchildren, Brandon and Joshua McDougal; stepgranddaughter, Alexandria King; great-grandson, Astin Newman; a great-niece and great-nephew who Ella loved as her grandchildren, Jaelyn West and Landon West of Huntingtown, MD; and a very dear family friend and support to Ella, Eric Davenport and his wife, Brooke, of Fort Fairfield.

Friends may call Sunday, November 9, 2025 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 144 Main St., Fort Fairfield. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday, November 10, 2025, at 10 a.m. at the Parish of the Precious Blood, St. Denis Catholic Church, 147 Main St., Fort Fairfield with Fr. Sahaya Remgius SAC Celebrant. A time of continued fellowship with refreshments will take place following the Mass at the VFW Paul Lockhart Post No. 6187, 130 Presque Isle St., Fort Fairfield. Interment will take place on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the St. Denis Catholic Cemetery, Fort Fairfield. Those who wish may contribute in memory of Ella to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692. Online condolences may be expressed at gibersondorseyfuneralhome.com.