Leona Portman Whitehead's Obituary
Leona Whitehead, 91-years-old of Auburn, CA passed away on Monday, October 11, 2013 at the Auburn Oaks Care Center from natural causes. Born on May 25, 1922 to Sophie and Julius Portman in Akron, OH, Leona grew up in her mother’s kitchen and restaurant alongside her two sisters (a story she loved to tell). After working her first job away from home with General Electric (another story she loved to tell), she met and was married to Marion S. Whitehead at the age of 26 in Atlanta, GA in 1948. Though he was nine years her senior, Marion and Leona enjoyed a long and happy marriage of 54 years before Marion passed away on Valentine’s Day in 2001.
A storyteller for the ages, Leona loved to spin her family and friends tales from the past, and write articles for local newspapers and for the resident newsletter at the Oaks of Auburn. Not only did she have a way with words, Leona also loved to imagine and invent, and her grandchildren remember fondly the book she wrote for them which Marion illustrated. Both had a love of photography, painting, art, family, and creativity, reading, and their Jewish faith.
Leona is survived by her son Steven Whitehead and wife, Judith, of Buffalo, NY; her daughter Sharon Furlong and husband, Brian, of Auburn, CA; her five grandchildren, Jacob Whitehead and wife, Audrey Whitehead, of Buffalo, NY, Joel Whitehead of Woodland Hills, CA; Chayla Furlong of Redwood City, CA; Breanna Furlong of San Diego, CA, and Audrey Furlong, of Auburn, CA; and her 90 year her sister Annabelle Leveson of Williamsville, NY; and many loving friends at the The Oaks of Auburn. Leona is predeceased by her husband, Marion and sister Pearl Glazman.
A service will be held on Friday, October 15, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. Sunset Lawn Chapel of the Chimes at 4701 Marysville Road in Sacramento, CA where Leona will be laid to rest beside Marion. A reception will be held for family and friends following the service and internment at the home of the Furlongs’ in Auburn, CA. For further questions please email Leona’s daughter, Sharon, at [email protected] .
A Hebrew Proverb says, “Say not in grief ‘he is no more,’ but in thankfulness that he was.” We are grateful and joyous in our celebration and remembrance of Leona’s memory and life; a life of graciousness, vivid color, and honor.
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