Leona Frances Ringel (Bourgeois), 95, formerly of Centralia, Wash., passed away Jan. 22, 2017, in San Diego, Calif., with her two sons at her side.
Leona (Lee) was born Jan. 8, 1922, in Rainy River, Ontario, Canada, youngest of a large family. Her sense of adventure led her into nursing, where, being a traveling RN, she had the freedom to relocate from place to place and she did, Texas to the Yukon. Eventually, she was assigned to a position in Portland, Ore., long enough to be found by Donald (Don) Ringel, who became her devoted husband in 1959. They shared their life together for nearly 50 years.
Don and Lee settled in Centralia, where Lee devoted herself to raising a family and living out her faith in God with the congregation of St. Mary Catholic Church. She found joy in sunny days on her patio, cheering on her Huskies, her Mariners and her Seahawks, as she engaged in activities with her boys, Don Jr. and Rick and the neighborhood children.
After her beloved husband, Don passed in 2007, Lee moved to San Diego in 2010, to be closer to her son, Don and her daughter-in-law, Karen and their extended family circle. She embraced the warm and dry weather of San Diego and cherished her role as full-time grandmother.
Lee was incredibly active, healthy and independent, having recently celebrated her 95th birthday before she was overcome by an unexpected illness. Until her death, she gardened, attended pottery classes and never missed Saturday Mass or the family Sunday dinner. She blessed all those around her with love, humor, energy and her feisty spirit.
Lee was preceded in death by her husband, Don; parents, Albert and Emma Bourgeois; and siblings Roy, Albert, Florence, Aurora, Aliene and Pat.
She is survived by her son, Don Ringel and his wife, Karen of San Diego, Calif., and their children, Molly and Matthew; and her son, Rick Ringel and his wife, Diane, of Maryland and their children, recently wed Renee Gillenwater, Nicole and Chrissy.
She will be greatly missed and we know she is at home with the Redeemer and filled with peace, comfort and joy.
Private family services remain pending.
