Levone Davidson Leff

Levone Davidson Leff, of Marysville, was born October 4, 1921 and died surrounded by family on June 8, 2013 at the age of 91. She was born to parents LeRoy and Emma Davidson in Lusk, Wyoming and was raised in Onawa, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Burdette Leff; and her brothers Raymond, Richard, Thomas and Darrell.

She is survived by her son, Brad, and his wife Nancy; grand-daughter, Christie (Jonathan) Voos; sisters Bonnie Peroutka, Marlene (Charles) Meyer, and Judy Thomas; nephews Craig and Thomas Peroutka; nephews Brian, Ricky, Terry, David, and Cal Davidson; niece Donna Rae Davidson; god-daughter Cindy (Joe) Divita and her children.

Levone graduated from high school in Onawa, Iowa in 1939 and immediately went to work for an attorney in town. In 1942, the USO (United Service Organization) held a dance in Onawa, where she met her sweetheart, Roy “Lefty” Leff. Lefty was sent to Texas for Officer Candidate School shortly thereafter, and Levone followed. They married at the army base in Jacksonville, FL, and had a short, but sweet honeymoon before they parted ways.

Levone returned to Onawa as a married woman and was asked to work for the Bank of Onawa, beginning her career in banking. For the next three years, she worked diligently, saving for the day Lefty returned from WWII. He returned in late 1945, and they promptly moved across the country to Marysville, WA, where Lefty’s Uncle Max hired him as the Lead Salesman for Park Sales and Service.

In 1947, Levone and Lefty welcomed their only child, Bradly, and in 1948, they finished building their first home. Levone was a stay at home mom until 1954, when she went to work as a teller at the Marysville State Bank. She subsequently transferred to the Bank of Everett and became a loan officer 2 years later.

In 1960, Levone and Lefty purchased, with Brad Bartlett, the Ballou & Wright Autoparts store in Everett, WA, which became B&L Autoparts. Levone simultaneously worked at the bank during the day and posted the books for B&L Autoparts at night. She worked diligently, moving up within the banking world, while helping her husband with his business. She continued to move up within the banking industry over the years, surviving mergers of the Bank of Everett and Seafirst, and eventually, Seafirst and Bank of America. She retired in 1984, at age 62, as a Vice President of Installment Loans in the Commercial Division of Bank of America.

Levone and Lefty were avid travellers, going to destinations near and far. Traveling was not the only adventure they embarked upon - Levone loved to entertain and throw themed parties for friends and family. In retirement, she focused her energies on her family and god-children, often hosting family holidays and events.

Levone was a strong woman, who valued family, loved to garden, and made wonderful pies. She set an example for others in her ability to achieve her goals. She beat breast cancer before it was a big deal and never complained about her pain in later years when the cancer returned. She never forgot a birthday or anniversary. She loved, and was loved - she will be missed.