Obituary of Leona A. Parrish

Leona A Parrish (Olmstead) of Ionia died peacefully on March 25, 2023 at age 96. She was predeceased by her husband of 44 years, Donald; daughter-in-law Anne, and grandson Patrick. She is survived by 3 sons: Wayne, Lynn (Lisa), and Terry; former daughter-in-law Catherine; 7 grandchildren: Valerie (Scott) Phillips, Bradley, John (Becca), Ethan (Lisa), Tyler, Megan, and Ashley; 2 great-grandchildren Palmer and Reagan. Leona was born June 7, 1926 in West Bloomfield, NY, the daughter of the late Floyd and Audrey Olmstead. She grew up on a farm without electricity or plumbing and attended the one-room school house in Ionia. Leona graduated from Bloomfield High School and then Rochester Business Institute, where she worked as a secretary. After marrying Don in 1949, she returned to life on the farm as a wife, and soon mother to their 3 boys. Leona and Don enjoyed weekly game nights with friends, traveling to the Carolinas and Florida, visiting Michigan cousins, and taking Sunday and summer evening drives in Don's 1960s Jeep. She maintained close, lifelong friendships with Ionia neighbors, and met a few regularly to sew and knit. She worked at Locust Lawn prepping salads, but she was best known for her home cookie baking. Molasses crinkles were a family favorite. She cherished time with her family, loved decorating and hosting for the holidays, and ended most family dinners with a rousing game of Aggravation, dominos, Euchre, or Hearts. Her bird feeders were always full, and her houseplants thrived. She spent her final years receiving excellent care at the MM Ewing Continuing Care Center at Thompson, where she spent her days doing crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles in between much loved visits from family and friends. Calling hours will be held at the Merton H. Kays Funeral Home, 59 Monroe St., Honeoye Falls, NY, Tuesday, March 28 from 4-7 PM. Private Interment, Miller's Corners Cemetery, Ionia, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the General Maintenance Fund, Millers Corners Cemetery, PO Box 52, Ionia, NY, 14475.