April 27, 1966 – February 27, 2022
Mari Leigh passed away Sunday, February 27, 2022 at her home in Watson, at the age of 55. She was a former resident of Austin, Texas for 20 years. A memorial visitation will be held at Seale Funeral Home, Denham Springs on Friday, March 4, 2022 from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM. She is survived by her mother and step-father, Barbara and Henry Childres; father and step-mother, Lynn and Mae McDowell; daughter, Lindsey Noto (Chase Noto); sister, Blake Robards; brother, Dean McDowell; granddaughter, Preslee Noto; niece, Megan McDowell; nephew, Hunter Robards; great-niece and great-nephew, Raeleigh Broussard and Waylon Broussard; former husband and best friend, Reed Barnett and numerous cousins. Preceded in death by her granddaughter, Lyric Noto; maternal grandparents, B.L. and Mary White; paternal grandparents, Floyd and Marguerite McDowell ; cousin, Ramsey White. Special thanks to Audubon Hospice, especially Tania, Stacy and Shelly and to Brenda Fagan and Lori Lockhart for helping care for her in her final days. A special thank you to Texas Oncology at St. David’s Hospital in Austin, Texas. Please sign our online registry book.
18 comments
J
March 31, 2025 at 5:16 am
I’m still not ready to let my life with you become another memory. I miss you so much, i never knew just how much this could hurt let alone how long the pain could last. It doesn’t get easier, the pain doesn’t subside over time, it gets worse as the days roll by. The realizations and amount of things I wish I’d have said to you before you left just keeps piling up and I have nowhere to put any of it. The things that occur to you only when it’s too late to express it in appreciation. I know you were thankful for me, and I know you loved me and what I may have brought to your life, I knew without you ever having to have reminded me because of the efforts you made to enrich my own life. I just hope I was able to match it within even a mile. There’s an enormous part of me that left along with you, and I don’t have any more hope that I’ll get it back. I suppose it belongs to you now, and maybe it always did. What good my life contained as a result of you blessing me with with your companionship was simply borrowed, and I don’t think you would disagree that I squandered the majority of it. At least it feels that way to me, I feel I wasted so much time with so many less worthy activities, people, interests, etc. Never satisfied and always peering off in some aimless direction all the while everything I could possibly want was right there at my side, always picking up after me when I couldn’t manage, always watching my back when I was too distracted, always propping me up when I was in danger of falling over, and never letting me forget just how much I was loved. And I can say I felt truly loved by you, unconditionally. It was a foreign feeling to me, it wasn’t familiar and I simply never knew just how precious it really was. I definitely never felt as if I deserved any of it, but you simply didn’t care and for whatever reason felt I was worth your time and energy and bottomless well of love and adoration. It’s not that I never recognized it, or that I didn’t even try my best to return it back to you with the same abundance in every way I knew how. It’s just that I was too naive to hold it tight and keep it safe, treat it with more care. More importantly recognize it for the true rare treasure it was. Well I see it plain as day now, I have for quite some time now, it’s become a self inflicted scar that will never fully heal and serves as a daily reminder for me to not ever waste something so precious again. But therein lies the irony I suppose, that while I may be able to recognize it again if I ever come across it again, I already know that’s not in the cards. There simply will never be anyone like you, no one will ever even come close to measuring up. You were an irreplaceable spirit and force on this earth, and I am eternally grateful for your presence, your beauty, your grace, your companionship, your love. I can’t consider you as anything less than a gift, a once in a lifetime experience to be cherished and treasured for all that it was and has meant to me. Thank you for choosing me, for loving me, for simply being there without ever needing to be asked, for sharing your life with me and letting me share mine with you. There’s so much of you that is a part of me now, you’re with me and always will be. I know now how it feels to truly be loved and held by another. I only hope to God I helped you felt the same from me if even for only a moment at some point. Lord knows you deserved so much more than I was even capable of giving you. You knew that, and still your commitment never wavered. It’s a given that you will never be forgotten, I know I will be thinking of you still when old and gray. I love you so much it hurts, and I miss you oh so terribly. Thank you, Mari, for everything you are and ever were. I promise I will find you when my time comes, I can’t wait to see you again and I promise I’ll make it all up to you tenfold, however I can. Maybe we can finally take that trip to Spain we (I) kept putting off for so long. Whatever it takes just to see you dance with beautiful abandon once again. Until then, please don’t be a stranger, my dreams are so much brighter when you visit ❤️
Michael Dalrymple
March 29, 2022 at 12:32 pm
Just found out about this. Mari was one in a million and as I’m sure so many have said, I am lucky to have known her. There was no one cooler than Mari. The Fonz would have looked up to her! Much love to you Lindsay as you miss your fabulous mom, and to all those that cared for her you are in my thoughts.
Barbara Childres
March 27, 2022 at 10:17 pm
Today is one month since you left and I miss you so much. Since you moved back home when things was looking very bleak, you and I were a lot alike ( late night cleaning, late night trying the air fryer and having a feast ) we were truly “night owls”. You are free of the 4 yr. & 4 month battle with CANCER that you fought with dignity and Grace. Love from your Mama ! ❤️
Judy Wascom
March 11, 2022 at 5:03 am
I wish I had known about this passing. She was a beautiful person who I always loved. Barbara and family, you are in our prayers.
Darryl Dungan
March 3, 2022 at 7:05 pm
You were passionate, fun and full of life. Rest in peace, Mari.
Denny P. Lazarus
March 3, 2022 at 3:34 pm
Mari was an awesome person with a great spirit. I am luck to have known her.
Anne Small
March 3, 2022 at 12:57 am
I am thinking of you all and special prayers for each of you. Mari was such a lovely girl, full of color and light and joy. God bless your family and may He hold you all close through this time of loss and sorrow. Prayers for each of you.
Kathy Meche
March 2, 2022 at 1:44 pm
So sorry for your loss, may God bless each of you with peace and comfort during this time of grief.
David Deicke
March 2, 2022 at 7:09 am
I love and miss this girl so much. She worked for me twice. Once at the Hula Hut and again in my own restaurant when she wasn’t able to physically do a regular job after going through treatment. She was a fighter! I was lucky enough to spend some time with her away from work and we went to see the Cult at Austin Music Hall and the Stones in Zilker Park. Proud to have been her friend.
Cheyne
March 2, 2022 at 3:45 am
Oh Mari. The world just isn’t as bright and sparkly without you. I have clients calling me daily to ask about you. You really made an impact… on the dance scene and our business. You are deeply missed. </3
Dallas Johnson
March 2, 2022 at 3:09 am
Ms. Barbara and family, Mari Leigh was a good friend when we were at SLU. Will be praying for you all…so sad to hear about this.
Debbie wascom
March 1, 2022 at 11:13 pm
I’m so sorry to hear, my condolences and prayers go out to her family
Sammy and Barbara Woods
March 1, 2022 at 11:00 pm
We are so sorry for the loss of your loved one. Praying for comfort in the days to come.
Linda Sibley Allemand
March 1, 2022 at 7:22 pm
I am so sorry to hear of Mary Leigh’s passing .My thoughts and prayers are with you all .
Lindsey
March 1, 2022 at 4:34 pm
Miss you so much mama 💔
Barbara Dugas Cheney
March 1, 2022 at 1:08 pm
Please accept my heartfelt condolences to the famil.Many special and lasting memories will see youthrough this time
Charles and Alice Smith
March 1, 2022 at 12:19 pm
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Tammy Serrano Gonzales
February 28, 2022 at 11:20 pm
Rave on
You will be missed by many