As they get older, I sometimes hear people complain that they feel “invisible,” or like they are no longer appreciated the way they once were. Last Sunday, when a big birthday celebration for Leona Kolbly’s life brought many people together from all walks of life in Gilroy, it was obvious that Leona’s life continued to touch everyone she came into contact with no matter what her age (or theirs).
The 91st birthday celebration was attended by the daughter of one of Rucker Elementary School’s principals, who spoke of Leona’s gift for teaching children.
Her friends were there from her teaching days, along with a neighbor who remembered her driving him to Sunday school over 50 years ago. Even her exterminator (whom she had just gotten to know recently) came to pay tribute, saying, “In my opinion, she didn’t even need an exterminator.”
One teacher’s aide who had taken a road trip with her to the border of Guatemala said she had danced all night (“We had a ball!”), and those from her card playing days talked about being victims of her sharp-witted dirty bridge playing tactics.
The person whose life she changed the most in her later years was Debbie Darsey, who became a second daughter to her. She best captures the way Leona lived her life with these words:
“I was trying to remember when I first started to get to know Leona.
“It was after I had lost my diamond engagement ring one Saturday afternoon.
“The next day when I went to church to help with Sunday school, she sensed that something was bothering me.
“While I was sharing with her, I started to cry. She was right there holding my hand, reassuring me that everything was going to be OK. She was right – three days later my ring was found in the parking lot at Habing’s Funeral Home. It was a miracle!
“Not long after this, she gave me a gift. It was a ring saver, where I could put my rings when I wasn’t wearing them, and it comes in handy everyday.
“I never really felt a mother’s love until Leona came into my life. My mother was an alcoholic who was abusive physically, mentally, and emotionally. I don’t remember hugs, kisses, praise, or mother/daughter times together.
“But Leona changed all that. She gave me unconditional love. We shared lunches, dinners, snacks, and the occasional goodies like root beer floats and chocolate.
“We went on a picnic once that turned out to be in the rain, but fun just the same.
“There were shopping trips, walks in the park, rides to the beach, and drives through the neighborhood to look at the Christmas lights.
“There were many good times and I’m so thankful. We loved just spending time together!
“She loved orchids as I did, and she had a great knack for working with them. I wasn’t able to get them to flower again once they had bloomed, but I could bring them to her, and she would work miracles in the orchid hospital.
“She was good at helping other people too. She worked with me in the HeadStart Program and with children in an English as a Second Language Program, while their parents were learning English. She really cared about children, and they blossomed in her care.
“She was our boys’ honorary grandma. Leona would always find a way to help you grow and be encouraged.
“She took my husband John and me to the ballet for our first time ever. She also took me to see my first opera. We really enjoyed this time with her.
“She was so good at giving helpful advice without making you feel dumb.
“Leona was so special, and really important in my life. I’m very blessed to have gotten to know her. Happy Birthday, Leona!”
Kat Teraji is communications coordinator for a non-profit organization benefiting women and children. Her column appears every Thursday in the Take 2 section of the Dispatch. Reach her at ka****@ve*****.net.
