Leona Benard Obituary

Leona Benard

Leona Benard was born in Findlay February 7, 1928, the eldest daughter of Herbert W. and Velma G. Bobb. She was raised in North Baltimore, graduating in 1946 from NBHS. She was a gifted pianist and the official accompanist for all solo and choral performances.

Leona's working career began as a key-punch operator for Marathon Oil. In 1948, she married Eugene Benard and together they started a paint and floor covering business in NB. She later worked in sales for Jackson Furniture, but by far her favorite position was as a bridal consultant at Inez O'Brien. Leona was a very civic-minded resident of NB: she initiated and ran the wildly successful Community Education program for six years. She was elected to town council and also NB Public Library board. She started the acclaimed "School-Business Partnership" program and organized blood drives for many years. Leona hosted annual political candidate dinners and was an active member of the Literary and Lyric Society up to the time of her death.

During this same period, she and Gene purchased several historic homes in NB restoring them to their former beauty, and putting their signature octagonal window somewhere in each. Leona remained socially active after she and Gene moved to Findlay in the early 90s. She was inducted into P.E.O, and joined and became a busy volunteer at St. Andrews Methodist Church. Although only 4'10", Leona did not hesitate to express an opinion, be it an unflattering hairstyle, a grammatical error or the need for a better bra. Her favorite saying was: "Women and banks make the world go 'round."

Leona was predeceased by Gene in 2014; her son-in-law, Robert Hewitt; and her two sisters, Donna Swope and Dorothy Trout.

She is survived by her daughters, Dr. Anne Hewitt of Lexington, Massachusetts, and Beth Benard (Jim Spitler) of Rome, New York. Leona cherished her granddaughter, Christine Hewitt Belin, and adored her two great-grandsons, Peter and Tommy Belin. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews; she was especially close to Peg Trout, Teresa Patton and Angela Swartz. We cannot begin to express our gratitude for Steve and Teresa Patton, who, without hesitation, met Mom's every need and filled her last years with genuine affection and unsurpassed devotion.

We would also like to thank Primrose Community for six years of compassion, companionship, and sincere loving care.

Visitation will be from 10-12 p.m. Thursday, March 13, 2025, at COLDREN-CRATES FUNERAL HOME, Findlay. Following that, a brief graveside service will be at New Maplewood Cemetery in North Baltimore prior to interment.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Leona's name to St. Andrew's Methodist Church or NB Public Library.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.coldrencrates.com.