Jennifer Diane Leigh

Jennifer Diane Leigh (Stephens)
December 1st, 1979-October 15th, 2021

Jennifer “Jenn” Diane Leigh (Stephens), 41, of Pocatello, Idaho, was a victim of Domestic Violence by her soon to be ex-husband of eight years, in her home on October 15th, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. That evening, this world lost a loving mother, daughter, sister, friend and coworker.

Jenn was born on December 1st, 1979 to Ronald Layton Stephens (11/19/59-06/09/19) and Teresa Elizabeth Stephens (Kappel) at Parkview Hospital in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She is remembered by her loved ones as a feisty and clever girl who knew exactly what she wanted. One could not tell her there was something she could not do. Jenn and her cousin, Erin, may have been the slyest of all the cousins. Jenn was their protector on many occasions and she always had the biggest heart for her family.

Growing up, Jenn attended several different schools in Idaho and Utah while moving around with her family. She was a student at Skyline Senior High School and later went on to earn her General Educational Development certificate.

On July 22nd, 1997, Jenn welcomed her first born Nataiela Maree Croft with Will Shomaker. She was blessed to give birth to her second daughter Roxanne Lynn Lott on January 26th, 2009 with Troy Lott. On April 4th, 2013, Jenn married Jesse Leigh with whom she gave birth to her youngest child Blake Steven Leigh on December 12th later that year. Jenn loved her children more than anything and she loved being a mother. She could not wait to become a grandma.

For 22 years, Jenn established a career as a professional cook. It was a dream of hers to own a restaurant so she could share her incredible skills with her friends, family and community. She was lucky enough to practice her craft for many years at ButterBurr’s Restaurant in Pocatello, Idaho. As a front-runner in opening ButterBurr’s second location Lickety Split, Jenn was able to see a piece of her dream come to life. It was because of this and many other accomplishments Jenn made throughout her career; her family was so proud of what she put into it. Jenn was always a hard worker and found passion in many things she did.

She will be remembered as a great listener and problem solver. Seeing anyone who was feeling down brought out her nurturing side, she would always give the best hugs then try to lighten the mood with her creative silliness and laughter.
Jenn loved spending time outdoors and she especially enjoyed boating and camping. She carried an old soul and was an avid music listener. She absolutely loved Rock n’ Roll, R&B and Rap music enjoying artists such as Tool, Korn, The Offspring, Fleetwood Mac, Eminem, Dr. Dre and Bone Thugs N’ Harmony. She was more adventurous than most. One of her favorite pastimes was going to concerts where she loved to sing and dance her heart out.

Jennifer Diane Leigh is survived by her children Nataiela Croft, Roxanne Lott, Blake Leigh and Daphne Lott, her mother Teresa Stephens, both of her grandmothers, Sondra Olson and Pat Stephens, her sisters Rebecca Hoadley and Charissa Rios, her brother Derek Stephens, her nieces Shelby Longacre and Eliana Wells, her nephews Trevon Longacre, Derek Jr. Stephens, Marisio Estrada and Lyrik Stephens, her great niece Violet Andrews, her foster parents Dan and JoAn Croft, her foster siblings Ann Bowles, Nic Croft, and Adam Croft, and their respective spouses, families and loved ones. She is preceded in death by her father Ronald L. Stephens and her grandparents, Jerry Stephens, Gordon Tovey, Clyde Olsen, Herbert Kappel and Gertrude Kappel.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 6th, 2021 at the Shilo Inn on Lindsay Boulevard in Idaho Falls at 1 o’clock p.m.

In lieu of flowers, consider donating to your local domestic violence and abuse shelter.


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