Leila Kinney

Leila, V. Kinney, age 97, passed away on Feb. 13, 2013 at Valley Memorial Eldercare in Grand Forks, ND, where she had resided since June 2006. Leila was born Dec. 15, 1915 in Momence, IL. The daughter of Leo & Leona Kinney, at age 5 she moved with her family to Manvel, ND where she attended grade and high school. She later attended Mayville State Teachers College and then went on to earn her degree at UND. After teaching a few years, she joined the WAVES and served for three years. Later she went back to school to obtain a Master's Degree in Social Work at UCLA. It was in Los Angeles that she first learned to drive a car! Leila worked for 46 years as a social worker in the counties of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Ventura. During Leila's working years she was very active in many organizations and volunteer groups. She enjoyed participating in church activities and was a member of Federated Church in Grand Forks. Gardening was one of her favorite hobbies - she loved flowers and had a large rose garden. After retiring at age 62, Leila moved to the coastal California town of Cambria. She loved the ocean and joined a fishing club there. She enjoyed attending plays & musicals and spent much of her time traveling around the world. Leila is survived by one sister, Lula M. Bry (Paul) and two sister-in-laws: Lois Kinney(Bill) and Georgie May Kinney (Leroy) and many nieces and nephews including: Tom Ronan & Carolyn Honkola; John, Dave, Jeff, & Kris Kinney; Jane Beasley; Dan, Debbie & Doug Bry; Nona Huyler; Ben Ellingson and Richard, Peggy, & Jim Kinney. She is also survived by two long time friends: Meg Ericson in California and Verna Lindsay of Grand Forks. Leila was preceeded in death by her parents, one sister: Edna Ronan (Art), and 7 brothers: Raymond, Howard, Jay, Robert, LeRoy, Bill & Gorge.