Leatrice Josephine Leone

Letizia Maria Boscarino in Caccamo, Sicily on August 18, 1926. She immigrated to the United States with her parents, Pietro and Sara Boscarino and siblings Clara and Ann in 1927 via Ellis Island. She grew up in Niagara Falls, New York until the age of 21 when her Father sought a better life for his family in San Jose, California.

Lee worked at California Water Service Co. in accounting for several years and at the age of 93 could still quickly recite, alphabetically, every city they serviced, (21 at that time). She soon met the man who was to be her future husband, Joseph Leone. Her sister, Clara, had previously married Joe’s brother, Ned. Lee and Joe met through these siblings and upon Joe’s first look at Lee, said to himself “That’s the girl I’m going to marry!” It was destined to be and their wedding took place on July 6, 1947, whereupon two sisters were now married to two brothers.

Lee handled all the accounting aspects of the Leone Brother’s service station on San Carlos Street in San Jose for 25 years, but her greatest joy in life was raising two children, Gregory and Jody. Among their extended Sicilian family, Lee was known, loved and admired for the wonderful meals she prepared and her flair for creative entertaining. She could always be counted on for homemade treats by all the neighborhood children and her home was always filled with the love and laughter of family and the delightful aroma of whatever she happened to be cooking. Lee was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.

In 1990, Joe and Lee moved to Roseburg, Oregon where she fully enjoyed spending time with her children, three grandchildren and two great grandsons.

Lee is survived by her children and their spouses: Gregory and Joanne Leone; Jody and Kirk Sanfilippo; grandchildren Lacey McKim, Andrea Leone, Tony Leone and wife Victoria, great grandsons Connor and Colt, Sisters-in-law, Mary Leone and Alice Ribardo and twelve nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 65 years, Joseph and sisters, Ann Leo and Clara Leone.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Red Cross or the American Cancer Society.

A memorial service for Leatrice will be held Friday, June 10, 2022 at 12:30 PM at Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary, 466 North Winchester Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95050. Following the memorial service will be a committal service at 2:00 PM at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery, 490 Lincoln St, Santa Clara, CA 95050.