Statewide County WA Archives Obituaries.....Leavens, Shirley June     February 28, 2006
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P. J. Stepp steppmom5@hotmail.com April 8, 2006, 5:53 pm

Published in The Daily News on 3/4/2006.

Shirley June Leavens,age 93, passed away Tuesday, February 28, 2006, at Dixie 
Regional Medical Center in St. George, Utah, due to complications following 
surgery.

Cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, she was 
born June 25, 1912, in Boise, Idaho, a daughter of Walter and Edith Ketzel 
Ford. She eloped to Pennsylvania to marry Byron Leavens in 1930. Shirley and 
Byron lived in the Cleveland, Ohio area for 28 years, where they raised their 
three children, and she was well-known for her catering service for groups up 
to 350. It was a family affair, where Shirley did all of the cooking and the 
girls helped with the other details. In 1957, Shirley, her husband and her 
youngest daughter moved to Cathlamet, Washington, which became her home for the 
next 40 years. She spent many years cooking at a nursing home, and working at a 
local grade school as a teacher's aid and playground supervisor. In 1998 she 
relocated to Hurricane, Utah to be close to her family. Believing in the old 
adage, "Busy hands are happy hands," she could always be found knitting, making 
the most of every minute of the day. She has left behind many treasures for her 
family and friends. Shirley was an avid bowler, played in a Women's Baseball 
League, served as a Scouting leader, and was very active in her communities. 
She was a woman of all trades, excelling in everything from gardening to 
sailing, and working side-by-side with her family to build several homes and 
sailboats. She was also a student of religion and nutrition. Before women were 
independent, Shirley gathered her children together and set out on a road trip 
from Cleveland, OH, to Pike's Peak, CO, camping along the way. She was truly an 
independent woman with an adventuresome spirit. At age 49, Shirley converted to 
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and following her example, 
several of her family members also joined the church. She currently has three 
great-grandsons serving missions. In her later years, she learned to use the 
computer to do genealogical research. Her great love was serving in the temple, 
and she has been most generous with the support of many missionaries throughout 
the years. 

Shirley is survived by her: son, Roland (Doris) Leavens, of Selah, WA; 
daughters, Jeanette (Joseph) Alessi, of Orange, CA, and Beverlee (Ken) Shamo, 
of Hurricane, UT; 14 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces 
and nephews. She was preceded in death by her: husband of 67 years, Byron; 
parents, Walter and Edith; two grandchildren; and one brother, Darrell. 

The family wishes to express their appreciation to the numerous caregivers who 
have lovingly given of their time over the past eight years, as well as all of 
the wonderful staff on 3rd West. 

A viewing will be held on Sat., March 11, 2006, at The Church of Jesus Christ 
of Latter-day Saints on Messenger Hill Drive, Cathlamet, WA, from 1:00 p.m. to 
1:45 p.m., with funeral services following at 2:00 p.m. at the chapel. 
Graveside services will follow at the Greenwood Cemetery in Cathlamet, WA. 

Funeral arrangements through Dowling Funeral Home, Cathlamet, WA. In lieu of 
flowers, the family suggests making donations to the Missionary Fund of The 
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through local wards and branches. 
Friends and family are invited to offer their condolences at 
www.spilsburymortuary.com. 
 
Published in The Daily News on 3/4/2006.  


Additional Comments:
The Daily News, Longview, WA      www.tdn.com

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