Born in Rorketon, Manitoba to Ukrainian immigrant parents on January 5, 1934, she moved to Kitchener in 1950. She met and married Gerald in June 1952. Together they raised five children, which kept her busy enough but she found time for her favourite hobbies. She enjoyed reading (her favourite was historical fiction), sewing and knitting our clothes and cooking. Leona made the world's best cabbage rolls and pierogies. She had a green thumb for tomatoes, yellow beans and beautiful flowers. After a busy day she would spend her evening with Alex Trebek (Jeopardy) and Pat Sajak (Wheel of Fortune).
While the children were in elementary school, Leona was a member of the PTA at St. Leo's, the CWL of St. Anthony Daniel's Church and helper of school projects and studies.
Once the children were grown, Leona and Gerald enjoyed travels to Florida and the Caribbean, road trips to Manitoulin and Calgary. Saturday night card parties with their dear friends and dancing the night away at dinner clubs were the social events of the week.
Leona was predeceased by her husband Gerald, daughter Sheree, parents Nicholas and Pearl Wawrow, sister Sylvia Pawluk and brothers Alan and Romeo Wawrow. She is survived by sister Ann Anderson. She will be missed by her children Gail (Wayne), Jerry (Deb), Kim (Robert), and Randy (Valerie); her grandchildren Krista (Jason), Steven (Angela), Jacqueline, Jeremy, Jennifer (Nathan), Hollie (Andrew), Mark and Caleb; her great-grandchildren Bailey, Penelope, Addison, Caitlyn, Charlotte, Izabella, Tyson, Ares and Gibson; her nieces and nephews.
Thanks to Dr. David Grant, Dr. Irvine and the staff of Laurel Creek at Sunnyside Home LTC for their care. Donations to Alzheimers Society of Waterloo-Wellington and Sunnyside Home Foundation.
Arrangements have been made through Westmount Memorial Celebration Centre, 1001 Ottawa St. S., Kitchener, (519-743-8900). Interment at Woodland Cemetery. A private funeral service has been held.
And while you lie in peaceful sleep, your memory we shall always keep.
