Frances Marie Leva

Frances was born in Arlington, Washington, February 25, 1926, to Lillie & John Udeen. She grew up on a small farm in Grandview “Swede Hill”, with her parents, three younger sisters, and many aunts, uncles and cousins nearby.

Fran attended Everett Business College then moved to Seattle where she worked as a stenographer for the CAA (now FAA) in the Smith Tower. Later she worked at ACS where she met her husband, Army Lt. Col. Frank Leva. Frank had received new orders to Paris in 1957, then shortly after their marriage they sailed by ship from NY aboard the SS United States to France where they lived for three years. She would say, "Not bad for a farm girl”. During those three years, they traveled extensively thought Europe and had their only daughter, Janine. In 1960 they were sent to Fort Lewis and later moved to Seattle, where Fran was able to live in her home in the Ballard area for 60 years. During those years she was active in North Minster Presbyterian Church, particularly in her women’s church “Circle” group. She also served as an election worker at her voting precinct for many years.

Fran was an avid cook & baker, famous for her many cookies, croissants, jams, Swedish meatballs, pancakes and ravioli. She enjoyed needle point, crochet, gardening, travel in Europe, Hawaii, investing in stocks and spending time with family. She was proud of her Swedish and Danish heritage. Most of all she loved being “Nana” to her granddaughters, Mia and Nikki and more recently also to their husbands, Stephen and Ben.

She was preceded in death by her husband Frank Leva, her sisters Norma Larson & Betty Dougherty. Survived by her daughter, Janine (Neil Tarte) , two granddaughters, Maria (Stephen James), & Nicole (Ben Sullivan) and sister Shirley Yandl and extended family.

Frances will be buried at Evergreen Washelli, in a private ceremony.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Ray’s Boathouse Restaurant. 6049 Seaview Ave NW, Seattle, WA., Friday, March 4 from 11:00 am- 2:00pm.

**Rays requires proof of Covid vaccine or negative covid test within 72 hours. Masks are required at this time.**

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The Kindering Center at: Kindering.org.

Kindering provides early intervention therapy services for children with developmental delays in the greater Seattle area.