Eleanor Virginia Hicks Leoni passed away July 12, 2017 in Windsor, CA., peacefully, with her family by her side. Eleanor, a life-long Sonoma County resident was born, at home, to Milton and Mildred Hicks on September 5, 1920. She grew up on the family’s Westside Road dairy ranch, attended the one-room Lafayette school and graduated from Healdsburg High School in 1938. As a young girl, she rode horseback with her brother and cousins, picked prunes for her grandfather and helped her mother raise turkeys to sell.
Eleanor’s working career with the Pacific Telephone Company began during WWII when she would process overseas calls for the servicemen debarking from Camp Stoneman in Pittsburg, CA.
In 1948, she married Fred Leoni, returned to Westside Road and began raising her family, son Fred and daughter Meredith.
1956 brought the family to Santa Rosa and Eleanor returned to Pacific Bell where she worked until her retirement in 1976.
Eleanor was always eager to learn something new and so began her years on the golf course and playing bridge where she made many lasting friendships. At age 90, she decided she wanted to learn to play the ukulele so she could sing “Happy Birthday” to her friends.
Eleanor was a gracious lady and loved to dress nicely each day, including her earrings, necklace and lipstick.
She was always thinking of other people, making her family and friends feel special with all the thoughtful acts of kindness she did for them. Sharing her famous biscotti cookies and braided Christmas bread were special treats that everyone looked forward to receiving.
Keeping in touch with her extended family and many friends was very important to Eleanor. In later years she would call on the telephone, checking in with everyone for the latest news. She was a life-long friend to many; everyone loved her.
Eleanor leaves her son Fred Leoni and his wife Debbie, her daughter Meredith Dreisback and her husband Jim all of Healdsburg. She leaves her West Virginia family, granddaughter Melissa Leoni Wilson and her husband Sean; and her two great granddaughters Madison and Sydney. Eleanor’s many nieces and nephews have always held a special place in her heart, too. Eleanor was pre-deceased by her husband Fred Leoni, Jr. and her brother Raymond Hicks.
Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life honoring Eleanor on Friday August 4, 1:30 p.m. at the Luther Burbank Art and Garden Center, 2050 Yulupa Avenue, Santa Rosa. We will be serving Eleanor’s favorite “meal”: desserts.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Eleanor’s memory may be made to Memorial Hospice 439 College Ave. Santa Rosa, CA 95401 or the Tel Com Pioneers c/o Bev Mager 4622 Acacia Lane, Penngrove, CA 94951.
