Leona Rose Howard, 99, passed away at her home in Butler on Saturday July 8, 2023 surrounded by family and prayer. Born on March 2, 1924 in Natrona, PA, Leona was the daughter of Konstant Szymkiewicz and Rosalia “Rose” Kolasinski Szymkiewicz. After graduating from Har-Brack High School in 1942, Leona served our Country as a Nurse Cadet, graduating from the Saint Francis School of Nursing in 1945. She married her high school sweetheart, Clarence W Howard, in July 1947 and worked at the VA hospital in Cheswick until the birth of their first child. Leona and Shag enjoyed traveling and Leona continued to do so after his passing in 1992. Leona grew up in a family with deep faith. As a child of an immigrant father, she always shared his love and appreciation of our Country. Leona never missed the opportunity to vote in person. Those same values were instilled in her family. Most important for her was for family to continue the faith and continue to love and respect each other.
After moving to Penn Township in 1951, Leona became an active member in the community. Clarence and Leona joined Holy Sepulcher when it was a mission Church. Through active involvement they were dedicated to helping build the Church and School at Holy Sepulcher in which 4 of their 5 children attended. She was in the first group of women Eucharistic ministers at Holy Sepulcher Church. She moved to Butler in 1992 and continued to serve as a Eucharistic minister at St. Conrad’s, Sunnyview, and Butler Memorial Hospital until she was in her mid-nineties. As an active member/volunteer for the Penn Township Women’s Club, she became one of Butler’s earliest volunteers for Meals on Wheels, and remained an active volunteer for almost 50 years. She loved those she served with meals and took the commitment seriously as she rarely missed a weekly delivery.
Leona was a devout steward of her Catholic faith and recited the rosary daily. Up until 6 weeks ago, Leona strung rosary beads, 100’s at a time, for her sister’s Church in Natrona, PA, and enjoyed playing Bridge with a beautiful group of ladies who were so kind to provide her with a ride to play cards each week.
In addition to her parents and beloved husband, Clarence “Shag” Howard, Leona is preceded in death by her son David C. Howard and Son-in-Law Henry D. Sinopoli; her Sisters, Regina Ziemkiewicz, Melanie Maleski Bickel, brothers, Eugene “Sonny” Szymkiewicz and Robert “Bobby” Szymkiewicz, with Bobby passing the day before his big sister.
Leona leaves behind a large loving family who will miss her dearly. Her sons Craig (Peggy) Howard of Prairieville, LA, Gene (Sheila) Howard of Washington, PA, Curt (Mary) Howard of Mullica Hill, NJ, daughter Jocelyn Howard Sinopoli of Butler and daughter-in-law Joan (Ray) Harris of Mars, who treated her as “Mom” even after the passing of her beloved husband. She also leaves 13 loving grandchildren and their spouses as well as 27 beautiful great-grandchildren ranging in age from 10 months to 22 years old; her devoted sister, Sylvia Begolly, whom shared weekly visits for over 9 years; and many nieces and nephews.
Jocelyn and Gene will cherish the weekly Saturday outings with their mom. We all intend to carry on her legacy of a strong faith, a positive spirit, and a forgiving heart.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at 10:30 am, at All Saints Parish, St. Conrad Roman Catholic Church, 125 Buttercup Road in Meridian.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Butler Meals on Wheels (butlermealsonwheels.com), Progeria Research Foundation (progeriaresearch.org) or Spinal Muscular Atrophy (www.curesma.org).
Arrangements by the Geibel Funeral Home, 201 East Cunningham Street in Butler.