Funeral services were held Feb. 6, 2004, at Brusie Funeral Home
in Chico, Calif., for Leona Harrington, 88, who passed away Feb. 2,
2004, in Eureka, Calif.
Funeral services were held Feb. 6, 2004, at Brusie Funeral Home in Chico, Calif., for Leona Harrington, 88, who passed away Feb. 2, 2004, in Eureka, Calif.
She was born Sept. 26, 1915, to John and Nellie Cordova, Gilroy pioneers. She was raised on the famous Will Tevis Ranch, which her father manager and where the rich and titled came to dine at Nellie Cordova’s table and play polo in historic Castro Valley. She attended Gilroy schools and attended San Jose State college. In 1935, she married Fred Harrington, noted horse trainer. They rode together in many rodeos and horse shows. Fred passed away in 1963.
In 1939, Leona moved to San Francisco, where for 27 years, she worked for the Federal Government; Army Transport Service; and Military Sea Transportation Service, storing and provisioning the Troop Ships that supported troops in the Far East.
Retiring in 1972, she moved to Durham, where she raised almonds and sheep; also acting as Northern California director for California Green Thumb. In 1985, she moved to Paradise, where she designed and supervised the building of a home in the pines.
Active in women’s organizations, Leona served as president of the Durham Women’s Club, the Paradise Women’s Club, Shasta District Women’s Club and Chico Historical Society. She volunteered for many years with the Chico Discovery Shop and was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Paradise.
In 2001, Leona moved to Eureka to be near family and was a member of Eureka Woman’s Club and Redwood Sequoia Garden Club. She was an avid gardener and adored her many cats and dogs.
She is survived by grandsons, Aaron and Anthony Klaves.
After cremation, the ashes will be scattered in the “Rose Garden” at Glen Oaks.
