Surrounded by family and friends at her Houston home, Leilani Blanchard Miranda, 78, passed into the hands of our Lord on March 26th, 2025 at 11:30am. Leilani, a breast cancer survivor in 1997 faced a recurrence of the disease in October of 2024 that quickly spread through her bones and bone marrow, ultimately taking her life just 5 short months later.

Leilani had many passions in life and led with a genuine curiosity that allowed others to shine bright. At the root of all this creative passion was Leilani’s deep connection to God and her Catholic faith. Before meeting Gilbert and starting a family, Leilani was part of the Carmelite Sisters in Oklahoma City. God called her to leave the convent but she remained connected to the community and often visited with her family. Leilani lived her faith, raised her family in the church, and dedicated her time to directing the children’s choir at St. Albert’s Catholic Church.

Leilani’s home was also a direct reflection of her bright passion and colorful curiosity. She was happiest in her native garden, creating paths through the wild grasses for her grandchildren to run and play. She was mesmerized by every butterfly, bird or bug that entered and all were welcome.

Her home is where she first started The Music Garden Houston in 1984, a music and movement studio for the very young. She taught small group music classes for children ages 0-8. After earning her Masters of Music in 1990 she became a teacher trainer for The Musik Garten (the methodology she utilized for her classes). Her studio thrived and she eventually outgrew her home space and moved her business to a storefront that could serve more families. COVID hit her studio hard but she stayed the course, continuing to bring music and joy to families over Zoom when they couldn’t meet in person. Following the pandemic Leilani rebuilt her studio and eventually found a home for her classes at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church as part of their music and arts school.

Her students and family brought her unparalleled joy. She was one of the rare individuals in this world whose passion and purpose guided her daily life. In turn, she inspired generations of young musicians to live a joyful life, connect with those around them and always lead with their heart.

Among those influenced by Leilani’s passionate nature is her own family. Leilani is the youngest girl of 6 children, she was used to big family life. Then she married Gilbert in 1976 and her family grew 10 fold, what a blessing. Together they attended every birthday, recital, baptism, wedding and baby shower, for every niece, nephew, great niece, great nephew, great great niece…Leilani’s commitment to showing up for others was impressive.

Above all, Leilani invested her whole self into creating an inspiring world for her husband Gilbert and their children, Toto, David (RIP) and Lei. She was up early to make sure Lei got to figure skating practice at the crack of dawn and stayed up late to attend Toto’s shows with The Octopus Project. She was the magic that allowed her family to follow their individual passions, no matter how impractical or seemingly impossible, there was always a way.

Leilani’s love of early childhood and her dedication to family all came together in her pinnacle role as Grandmother or Lita as her three Grandchildren call her affectionately. Toto and Sarah’s daughter Beatrix (6) along with Lei and Preston’s children Emma (4) and Camden (2) all received unconditional love and attention from their Lita. She delighted in every sound, movement, gesture, and facial expression they created, she delighted in them being themselves.

Although her life here on Earth has come to an end, her active faith, unstoppable passion, and creative imagination lives on in all that knew her. She had a tendency to strike up a conversation with any random person in line at the grocery store so that’s a lot of people! A beloved wife, irreplaceable Mother, doting Lita, inspiring teacher, motivational colleague and overall genuine human. Leilani we love you and will carry you in our hearts forever.

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