she was wonderful to us. carted us around from age 13 to support Gary's band. gave us fun dances in various cities every week end. sometimes ending with treating us to pizza at singing sams. keeping us out till 2am. what a thrill for a 13 year old! she was sweet, kind and generous to us. we hung out at her house during the week to listen to the band practice. milk and cookies were usually served. 
my mother revered her as a trustworthy person or i would not have been allowed to go with mr and mrs hess anywhere. very good reputation and very well liked with both kids and adults.
i will always remember and appreciate how they helped to fill my teen years with fun and excitement.

My great grandma Lee was so dear to my heart. At a young age, I moved with my family from Michigan to California, and at that time, we began our pen-pal relationship. Lee would send me the most loving letters in beautiful script handwriting, always addressed to "My Dearest Stacey" or "My Darling Stacey". I would respond with "Dear Great Grandma Lee and Great Grandpa Mike". I always enjoyed the formality of our introductions, followed by humor and wit. She would include beautifully detailed original drawings or poems, and in every written word, I could feel the spirit of a person who loved me truly.
Two years ago, I was able to visit my sweet grandmother. She was so spry and full of life! She toured me through her apartment - every wall was elegantly decorated and designed. She had taken so much pride and effort to make her home a sweet, cozy, and personal space. She loved that apartment. We laughed and shared a bottle of wine together while I listened to her stories about dancing in New Orleans. 
She loved to tell jokes. She telephoned her son Gary, and exclaimed "Oh Gary! I'm not feeling well - Please come quickly!!!" Poor Gary was terrified when he arrived at the door, and was greeted by Lee who was such a good actress. She actually did look ill for just a moment, until she yelled "Surprise!! Look who's come to visit me?? My sweet great grand daughter! Come in, come in!" ... I wasn't sure if Gary was going to have a heart attack, or punch his mom, but after he settled in, we shared a good laugh, and enjoyed being in each other's company. 
I felt a deep connection with my great grandmother, and feel still today that our spirits were torn from the same cloth. I wish I had had made more opportunities to be with her; to learn more about her; to hear her stories and learn from her wisdom. But now I will have to wait until I see her again in the spirit world.
I love you grandma Lee. You hated the name Leona, but it will always be a lovely name for me to hear.

great grandma you were such an amazing woman words cannot begin to describe. Dad always says I look just like you and I love it because if I look like the most amazing woman in the world I'm doing ok. I'm sorry I never made it there to say goodbye tell grandpa hi and I miss and love you both so much! You took a little piece of my heart with you the night you left us so did grandpa. You both gave me amazing memories that I will cherish forever. I love you grandma Leona
Loving you from afar your great granddaughter shanna olson

so many great memories. the 1st is when gloria and i were standing in her driveway listening to garys band. ms hess saw us and said "come in girls, don't stand out here". she put us in front of the band and out came milk and cookies. she invited us to listen anytime they practiced. then she made us groupies. picked us up and took us to dances wherever they played. afterwards pizza at singing sams. mr and mrs hess were wonderful to us. we were just 13 yrs old. my mom let me go anywhere with them and stay out as late as 2am sometimes. my mom was protective but had total trust mrs hess would never let anything bad happen to me. had so much fun back then and will always be grateful to the hess's for the enjoyment they gave me

I know if you ask the Lord He will give you a pair of roller skates to put on. That is the way I would like to remember you. I've saved all the beautiful cards you drew and made for us. You were so talented.. We'll see you in the near future in God's kingdom.

OBITUARY

Leona Marie Hess

January 20, 1920 – April 27, 2016

D.S. Temrowski and Sons Funeral Home

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