Happy Heavenly Birthday, Leona! I feel honored and blessed to have known Leona and shared our lives in The Community of God's Delight and at Saint Rita! She was such a gracious hostess and always so willing to share her beautiful home! I have so many wonderful memories of all those celebrations! May you rest in peace! Love You!

The first thought I have is when the Lehman family were in my our share group each week on a Friday , I called your home to invite and I said hi Leona and before I could talk more she said are you calling to invite us to your house hold, I said how did you know and with that famous laugh she said ‘’ I don’t know I just said it how about that for confirmation, so with 9 children and our 3 that was enough children Ha ha ha , so then I looked just for couple’s the Barry’s , I am 6 years younger then Leona and still kicking my heals enjoying life , I have become an artist send me your email I would love to hear from any of you,  I love you all in Christ John Callagher , callagherjohn@ yahoo.com

I first met Leona at the abortion clinic. I was a sidewalk councilor and she would faithfully come to pray for the women coming to the Ruth street abortion clinic. She was such a hard core prayer warrior and always so sweet  I remember one morning she was exhausted and nearly passed out I walked her to the white rose clinic next door where she rested and then just went back to praying. I know she is now praying for all of us right now! Saint Leona pray for us! She was also so proud of all her children and grandchildren it would be her greatest joy for you all to fight hard for the faith in this life to join her in the afterlife.

When I think of Leona:
I see Joy, Laughter, Sweetness, Commitment, Perseverance, Generosity, Fortitude, Love. And 9 children who have been blessed to carry on that heritage.

Love - Julia

I thank God for Leona and for allowing us to share our lives in the Community of God's Delight and St Rita! I have so many wonderful memories of celebrations at her home! She was always willing to open her home to all! I am blessed to have known this precious woman! Her beautiful family is her real legacy!

Leona exemplified faith, pure and simple. Her smile and gentle spirit said it all. She worked constantly and tirelessly to make things lovely for her family and loved ones.
My daughters, Mary and Lucy were included in so many family celebrations, as Leona included them with joyful openness and flexibility. Jenny would walk them over from babysitting at our house. We are forever thankful to have been a part of her family.
We know Jesus by the fruits of His Spirit. My family was ever so blessed to have Leona’s loving Jenny and Peggy in our life. Leona’s fruits are her beautiful faithful joyful children, her legacy of love. Praise be to God.

Wow, what I wonderful grandmother I had! I miss her dearly, but I'm so grateful for all the years that I was able to spend with her — and for how much she seized the opportunities to pour into us and love us well.

I'll miss vacations with Grandma, I'll miss her trips from Dallas to see us when I was little. I'll miss trips to the St. Rita playground and the science museum. I'll miss ice skating at the Galleria at Christmas, I'll miss setting up that extra-long table in the dining and living rooms for all the people who filled her home during the holidays. I'll miss the pre-meal prayers — that doubled as songs ("Thank you Lord for this fine day, right where we are..."). I'll miss spending weeknights at her house while I was interning in the city... And I'll especially miss the conversations that we would have late at night because we were both night owls.

Grandma, I'm thankful that the Lord made me your grandson. I love you so much, and even though you're "gone", I know you're really not. Thank you for all the prayers that you're still praying for all of us.

Sweet Leona – I have had many blessings in my life and one of them is definitely my sweet mother-in-law. While small in stature, she was a mighty woman. With her infectious smile, kind spirt and loving heart she impacted the lives of all those she met. 

Leona taught us so many lessons:

- Never pass up an opportunity to spend time with family
- Laugh out loud
- Dessert should be a part of every meal
- Many hands make light work
- A glass of wine is better with a little ice in it
- There is always room at the table for friends and family
- Just pray, for the big things and the small things
- Stay busy
- The kitchen is a place for memories to be made
- Share lots of stories
- Always say yes to an adventure

Leona - you have taken your final adventure to your Heavenly home. Thank you for the legacy of love that you have left for us. We are definitely surrounded by God’s loving grace as we move forward with the wisdom you have blessed us with.

Love you!

Kim

(Marty's wife)

I'm sure I don't have to say it because, if you are visiting this page, you probably already know it, but to know Leona is to love her fiercely. To have her as my grandma and now, my prayer warrior, is a privilege I am undeserving of. The memories I have made with her over the past 6 years of having her in our home, and the love that I have always felt from her will never be forgotten. I love reflecting on life she lived and allowing the Lord to show me the ways I am called to be like her. She exemplified the virtues of humility, detachment from the world, presence, and constant praise. I know that my sweet Granny is smiling down on me at the feet of Jesus praying for me and loving me in her most glorified self. She has run this race of life so well, and I hope that the end of my life here on earth would glorify God in the same way hers has. Praise Jesus for a life well lived and eternal life with Him in Heaven!