Leona Dolores Tregenza Smith OBITUARY

Leona Dolores Tregenza Smith OBITUARY

On Sunday, January 4th, Leona Smith walked on.

The depth and meaning of her life are evident in the texture of her relationships. Leona Tregenza was born and raised in Salinas, the youngest daughter of six children. After graduating from Whittier College, Mrs. Tom Smith began a teaching career and donned the mantle of Mom to four daughters, and aunt to nine nieces and four nephews. In the course of her extraordinary life, she embraced the roles of mother-in-law, grandmother to seven, great-grandmother to two, great-aunt, great-great aunt, mentor, and beloved friend.

She was a teacher through and through. She taught countless children to swim in the backyard pool. She showed us how to live with gratitude (even when life seems to be a lot more lemons than lemonade). She encouraged us to honor Mother Earth and conserve resources. She taught us to really see people, to be curious, to be engaged, to love.

She taught us that “our immortality lies in the love we leave in other people’s hearts.”

She leaves a lot of love sprinkled all around the world.

May she rest in peace and rise in glory.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 301 Corral de Tierra Road, Salinas, CA 93908, on February 21st at 11 o’clock in the morning.