Lea Ann Eastman

Lea Ann Eastman, born on April 18, 1957, in Rolla, Missouri, passed away on February 7, 2024, in Las Vegas, at the age of 66. She was a beloved figure in her community, known for her nurturing nature, unwavering care, and commitment to those in need.

Lea Ann's compassionate spirit shone brightly through her role as a family caregiver, where her intuitive attention to detail brought comfort to others, often at the expense of her own comfort. Her dedication was exemplified in her last six months, during which she selflessly slept on the couch beside her mother, June Hedstrom, who passed away on March 3, 2024, just a few weeks after Lea Ann's passing. She was also preceded in death by her youngest brother, Ricky Ryan Hedstrom, on November 7, 2005, and her older brother, David Sandy Hedstrom, on July 21, 2022.

An animal lover at heart, Lea Ann welcomed numerous strays into her home as cherished pets throughout her life. Up until her passing all the animals in her care were rescued from the streets. Her dachshund mix, Penny, was a stray that her oldest daughter caught in her neighborhood as a stray in the summer of 2014. Her ragdoll cat, Misty Dawn, was also a stray that, during the heat of the summer months, was weak and overheated and seeking safety and shade under her patio staircase. She was lured out with a bowl of water and was Lea Ann’s ever since. Lea Ann’s most recent rescue was a stray that she had seen on the property for several months before convincing her to get close enough to be brought inside when we had experienced extremely cold temperatures around the holidays. She let her granddaughter, Peyton name her Caly, short for Calypso. Caly was still not used to human interaction at the time of Lea Ann’s death. To our knowledge, Lea Ann was the only human to have been able to hold her at that time. Currently, all of Lea Ann’s pets have been rehomed to friends and family members dedicated to honoring Lea Ann’s wishes that they don’t go back into the system. Lea Ann also formed special bonds with wild animals, like the peacock she affectionately named Handsome, who would visit her doorstep daily, accompanied by friends seeking food and water. Handsome's continued presence and calls from her tree that he sleeps in every night serve as a testament to the deep connection they shared. It was even observed that around the time Lea Ann fell unresponsive Handsome let out a loud cry from the back yard.

Despite facing her own health challenges, including a quadruple bypass surgery in 2019 and subsequent carotid artery surgeries in 2021 after suffering from mini strokes earlier in the year, along with severe cataracts, Lea Ann remained resilient. Her determination to overcome these obstacles and improve her health left a lasting impression on those around her.

Lea Ann was an avid reader and found joy in the simple pleasures of life, especially being able to read her beloved books again after her vision was restored in the spring of 2023. She was a staunch advocate for the underdog, dedicating herself to supporting animal rescues focused on saving animals from abuse and neglect.

Above all, Lea Ann cherished her granddaughters, Peyton, Harper, and Kinsley, who were her pride and joy. She delighted in spending time with them, crafting together, and exploring nature on their property, where they would collect treasures like pinecones, pretty rocks, and feathers.

Lea Ann is survived by her sisters, Carol Mleczko and Bonnie Wortman, and her two daughters, Sheena Gilmour and Heather Perryman. Her legacy of compassion, resilience, and advocacy will continue to inspire all who were fortunate enough to know her.

A celebration of Lea Ann's life will be held on March 27, 2024, at Palm Eastern Mortuary and Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to https://everloved.com/life-of/lea-ann-eastman/donate/ to help offset the funeral costs and other related expenses.