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KIPLING, Mich. -- Vira (Texie) Leonardi of Kipling, Michigan, passed away from natural causes on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at the age of 92.
Vira lived life to the fullest. She devoted herself entirely to family, faith, and friends. Born on May 7, 1931, in Adrian, Michigan to Walter and Ellen (Nellie Flynn) Garvey, Vi was the youngest of five children. She attended St. Thomas Apostle School in Grand Rapids, Michigan. At the age of seven, her family relocated to Chicago, where she attended St. Lucy's Parochial School. She graduated from Austin High School in 1949.
Vi worked a variety of jobs throughout high school, serving ice cream and waiting tables. Upon graduating, she worked as a bookkeeper at Continental Illinois National Bank and Trust. Later, she worked in Accounts Receivable at Lederle Laboratory (now Pfizer).
While working at Lederle, she arranged a blind date for her friend, Betty, with a handsome young tree surgeon named Ernest Leonardi who was working for the Chicago Park District. Vi and Ernie caught each other's eye and, subsequently, dated for eight months. Vi was devastated when Ernie accepted a job as a Conservation Officer in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where he grew up.
All was not lost, however, because Ernie launched an all-out campaign to win Vi's heart. Daily letters, phone calls and even trips to Chicago led to an engagement. They were married at St. Catherine of Sienna Church in Oak Park, Illinois on June 28, 1952.
Their life together in Michigan was hectic and productive. They lived in Big Bay, Ironwood and finally settled in Kipling. Throughout this time, they had nine children but lost one child, Theresa, in childbirth. They sent their children to Catholic schools and were active in their home parish, All Saints of Gladstone. Vi served as a Eucharistic Minister and Ernie sang in the choir. They also attended and served at the Marygrove Retreat Center in Garden Grove. In addition to church activities, they were active in their local Kiwanis organization.
Vi treasured her heritage and taught her children many jaunty Irish tunes which were sung at full volume as they did the dinner dishes. She also loved the family's annual camping trips, particularly Ernie's creations as camp cook. At their home in Kipling, they entertained their friends by hosting annual mini-putt and bocce ball tournaments.
Once all of her children were in school, Vi worked as a teacher's aide at elementary schools in the Gladstone School District. After retiring, Ernie and Vi took many trips, visiting their children and grandchildren throughout the United States. They even traveled to Ireland and Italy, connecting with long lost relatives.
Vi is survived by six children, Stephen (Kathleen) Leonardi, Mary (Rick) Coleman, Peter (Kariss) Leonardi, Joseph (Lili) Leonardi, Paul (Tracie) Leonardi, and John (Karen) Leonardi. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Lynda McAfee-Leonardi, her brother-in-law; Harold (Mary/Carole) Franze, her nephew; Michael (Judy) Franze, fourteen grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren with one on the way.
She was preceded in death by her siblings, Walter, Thomas, and Richard Garvey and Mary Franze, her husband; Ernest Leonardi, her daughters; Anne (Ray) Jensen, Patricia (Lynda) Leonardi, Theresa Leonardi and her sons-in-law, Ray Jensen and Rick Coleman.
Family will receive friends on Friday, June 2, from 9:30 until 11:30 a.m. at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at Noon at All Saints Catholic Church in Gladstone. A private burial service will take place at Fernwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to All Saints Church, Gladstone Mich. or St. Emma Monastery, Greensburg, Penn.. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Leonardi family. Please visit www.skradskifuneralhomes.com to offer an online message of sympathy to the family.