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Delores Ann Leonard
11/18/1931 — 02/28/2007
From Kennewick, WA, US | Born in Yale, OK
Delores Ann Leonard
Delores was born November 18, 1931 in Yale, Oklahoma to Elmer and Mable Raffety. She moved to the Tri-Cites in 1947 and graduated from Richland High School in 1949. Delores married Bowen Leonard Jr. in 1960 and with their 5 children they created a loving, blended family.
In her younger years, Delores was a basketball player and an avid bowler with the housewives league, winning many trophies. She was a long time volunteer with the Kadlec Auxiliary beginning in 1971 and acquired over 15,000 hours, working full time up to the beginning of her illness. She became the head of microfilming, supervising 33 volunteers and once held the office of Vice-President. She received the Presidents Call to Service Award for volunteering in 2004. She helped establish the Red Hat Chapter, Darling Red Hats, which grew to 20 members. She was an active member for 5 years. Delores was a very social person and was loved by all who knew her. She was very interested in others lives and was always willing to help in any way necessary. Whenever she met someone new, she made sure to know their name. She enjoyed hunting and traveling with her husband and children and later in life they enjoyed their summers fishing at Badger Lake and playing cards with family and friends. With a gleam in her eye and a grin on her face, she always managed to win, however, she was the one keeping score.
She was recently preceded in death by her loving husband of 47 years, Bowen. She is survived by her five children, Susan Smith, John Yale Jim Mullens of Curlew, Bowen Leonard III Jan of Mukilteo, Linda DeWall Sandy Mathes of Shelton, and Cheryl Yale Patti Kacz of Rainier. Her sister Gayla Baird and her brother Charlie Raffety Beverly also survive her. She has 6 grandchildren, Laura Rogers of Puyallup, Wendy Smith of Richland, Michael Smith of Kennewick, Clinton Smith of Richland, Faedra Smith of Kennewick, and Krysta Wolfe Buddy of Olympia, 3 great grand children, Andrew and Brandon Rogers, Lexus Edwards, and many other extended family.
Wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, in-law, and friend, she will be greatly missed by all. The family has requested that donations be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society. There will be a viewing for her and her deceased husband at Einans Funeral Home on Saturday March 3 from 10:00 3:00 with a private memorial service for Delores and Bo on Sunday.
Cheryl and family,
Funny how my only memory of Delores was as our scorekeeper while playing cards at the Thanksgiving at the beach…I’m sure she will be sorely missed by all who knew her. She and Bo have both been in our prayers and your family continues to be as you all must continue in this life without them.
I was cleaning my garage and found some photos I wanted to forward to Linda and Laura. I googled Linda & came up with Delores’ obit. I am so shocked! Despite Bo & Delores’ health issues they just seemed like people who would defy the odds and be here forever. If you didn’t know them they might appear as very nice but pretty tough customers. They were fierce defenders of their family and anyone they took into their “fold”. But it was because, as anyone who came to know them found out, they were both, privately and quietly, deep and compassionate and certainly ready to go the extra mile for what they believed in. People, ideas, causes, cards : Bo taught me how to clean trout give it to some one who wants to eat it & let them do it and Delores taught me how to lose my change playing Nickles and to smile through the toughest times & have faith that it gets better.
I am so profoundly sad for this huge loss to your family and friends and yet feel very blessed that God gave me the opportunity to gamble, fish, laugh, cry and just experience life with them both. Your whole family are in my heart and prayers.
Mom, I can’t believe it has been so long since I last talked to you. It still seems like yesterday and the pain is still with me. Although, I know you are with us in spirit I still miss your smile, teasing, joking, laughing and even your anger. I wish you were here……
Cheryl and family,
Funny how my only memory of Delores was as our scorekeeper while playing cards at the Thanksgiving at the beach…I’m sure she will be sorely missed by all who knew her. She and Bo have both been in our prayers and your family continues to be as you all must continue in this life without them.
I was cleaning my garage and found some photos I wanted to forward to Linda and Laura. I googled Linda & came up with Delores’ obit. I am so shocked! Despite Bo & Delores’ health issues they just seemed like people who would defy the odds and be here forever. If you didn’t know them they might appear as very nice but pretty tough customers. They were fierce defenders of their family and anyone they took into their “fold”. But it was because, as anyone who came to know them found out, they were both, privately and quietly, deep and compassionate and certainly ready to go the extra mile for what they believed in. People, ideas, causes, cards : Bo taught me how to clean trout give it to some one who wants to eat it & let them do it and Delores taught me how to lose my change playing Nickles and to smile through the toughest times & have faith that it gets better.
I am so profoundly sad for this huge loss to your family and friends and yet feel very blessed that God gave me the opportunity to gamble, fish, laugh, cry and just experience life with them both. Your whole family are in my heart and prayers.
Mom, I can’t believe it has been so long since I last talked to you. It still seems like yesterday and the pain is still with me. Although, I know you are with us in spirit I still miss your smile, teasing, joking, laughing and even your anger. I wish you were here……
Gayla and Charlie – I am in AZ and reviewing my stats here in the computer lab. What sadness when I ran across the obit for Dolores and Bowen. I send the family my sincere sympathy in your loss. It was not that long that I talked with Dolores. In case you don’t remember me, I worked at Kadlec with you dear mom Mabel. I keep you all in my prayers during this trying time. God’s blessings – Mille
Our sincere sympathy to the entire family. We know it is very difficult for all of you to have so much sorrow at one time. The family and community have lost two very kind, thoughtful and generous people. They gave so much to so many people for many years and will be reatly missed by the community. Our love and prayers to each member of the family.
Sincerely, Eleanor and Sam DeRosa
I am so sorry for your loss. I appreciate the opportunity to spend time with your family @ KGH. I will continue to pray for your family at this very difficult time. Many Blessings.
Chaplain Bianca
We are so very sorry for the loss of your sister. She was such a sweet lady and we will certainly miss her.
I visited my great-grandma at the hospitals in Richland and Kennewick. My great-grandma was the best I could ever have. Kujo never got to meet her. I love you.
Deloras, we loved you and will never forget the wonderful memories. May God bless and comfort your loving family as they face the days without your wonderful smile. Good bye and sleep well, the suffering is over.
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Delores Ann Leonard