Leone Viola McGarry

Leone Viola Helbling was born in Mandan, North Dakota, on October 26, 1931, and raised on a homestead farm just outside of town. After graduating from Mandan High School in 1949, she attended nursing school in Minot, North Dakota. It was while working in Warm Springs, Montana, that she met Jack McGarry, whom she married on September 30, 1953. Together, they moved first to Seattle, then to Bellevue, Washington, in 1958, where Leone worked for 21 years as a nurse at Doctors Hospital. After moving to Yakima in 1972, Leone worked another 21 years at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, retiring as the head nurse of IV therapy.

After caring for Jack until his passing in 1997, Leone spent her retirement in Yakima, but did not stay at home. Her love of travel took her across the United States and around the world, including cruises to Alaska and down the Columbia River, trips to Russia, China, Costa Rica, to her family's homeland in Odessa, and to the Vatican. She was often accompanied in her travels by family members. She was an active member of the Yakima YMCA, attending water aerobics classes until very recently, and a parishioner at Holy Family Catholic Church.

Leone is survived by her son, David McGarry; her granddaughter, Colleen McGarry; and her brother, Donald Helbling. She was preceded in death by her mother and father; her sisters, Pauline, Annie, and Isabelle; and her son, Dale McGarry.

A graveside service will be held at Calvary Cemetery at 11:00 am on Wednesday, June 18th. Leone was a beloved sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the charity of your choice.