Martha “Leona” Slade
February 5, 1918 - August 13, 2012

Martha “Leona” Slade passed away peacefully in the afternoon on August 13, 2012 at the age of 94. Her youngest daughter Sue Anne was present. Leona was born February 5, 1918 in Touchet, Washington to Harry and Nina Mears. Their family moved to Lake Stevens where she lived her childhood with her brother, Dick, and sisters, Jean and Norma. Leona graduated from Pilchuck High School in 1936. She later worked in Seattle where she met her future husband Erwin Slade. On September 23, 1942 she and Erwin were married at University Christ Church in Seattle. They later moved to Snohomish, Washington where they raised their 4 children.
She was active in the Snohomish PTA and enjoyed her membership with the St. John’s Episcopal Church Women’s Guild and her work with the City of Snohomish Planning Council. In 1962, she was President of the Washington State Women’s Medical Auxiliary and traveled throughout Washington state and to New York, Washington D.C. and Chicago representing the auxiliary to charities and government officials.
Until the loss of her eyesight through macular degeneration, Leona was becoming an accomplished watercolor painter and played a lot of golf with her friends. As her eyesight diminished, she became very involved with the Braille Institute in Palm Springs and volunteered as a counselor and assistant for others with visual impairments. She loved flowers and gardening and always had beautiful floral arrangements throughout her home during the various holidays. In the fall, Leona was a fan of the Washington Huskies football team and over the years went to many games and post season bowls. She dearly loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Leona was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Erwin, as well as her brother, Dick, and sister, Jean. Leona is survived by her children, Craig (Marci), Sandie, Brian (Linda) and Sue Anne (Andy), her 10 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and her sister, Norma.
Our family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Bayview Manor, Seattle and Providence Hospice for their care of our mother. There will be a memorial service in her honor on Friday, Sept. 14, 2012 at 2:00 pm at Bayview Retirement Center located at 11 West Aloha, Seattle 98119. All are welcome to come and share this time with her family. Remembrances may be made to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org/ or by mailing P.O. Box 22718 Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.