Lea Lorraine Leso, 96, of Gilroy passed away Friday, February 2, 2018. Lea was born on January 4, 1922 in Gridley, Kansas to Eunice and Harold McCormick. Lea’s family of three sisters and two brothers came out to California in 1930 and settled in the Berkley area.
Lea married Ami Leso July 7, 1943. They would enjoy 68 wonderful years together until his passing in 2011.
Just weeks prior to her passing Lea spoke of what a wonderful life she had. Besides raising children, that wonderful life included a love of animals, hobbies, and travel. An avid horse enthusiast Lea rode frequently all the way to her 88th birthday. Her goats provided nourishing milk and her donkey much amusement. Living in the country the deer were hearty connoisseurs of her annual vegetable garden and the wild turkeys considered her home their home in their foraging. Softball, swimming, hiking, rock climbing, river rafting, and Tai Chi were many hobbies that she enjoyed.
Her travels with Ami were always a highlight. Be it the rattle snake in the Grand Canyon, the Grizzly Bear on the Stikine River or traveling by horse drawn wagon through Ireland, Lea always had stories when she came back.
Lea also loved to quilt, and her life became a quilt with the many adventures she lived.
Lea is survived by her sister Joanne Rudolph of Santa Cruz; daughter Karen Hegglin (Eli), sons Raymond (Beverly) and, Shannon (Karen); grandchildren Melissa (Mark) Dean, Becky (Tim) Pasquinelli, Sarah (Joe) Simon, Roseanne Leso, Anthony Leso, Marie (Ben) Roberts, and Carmen Leso; great-grandchildren Eliza, Eric, Evan, Ethan, Gabriella, Reece, Giovanni, Stella and Juliet.
The family would like to thank the staff at Merrill Gardens and her companion Savitri Singh.
Services will be held at 2:00pm Saturday, February 17, 2018 at Morgan Hill Presbyterian Church, 16970 Dewitt Avenue, Morgan Hill, CA 95037.
Online condolences at www.habingfamilyfuneralhome.com
January 4, 1922 – February 2, 2018
Lea Lorraine Leso
