Helena Jane McNary Leckrone

Helena Jane McNary Leckrone On Saturday, November 8, Helena Leckrone of San Jose died of sudden heart failure at the age of 69 with her husband at her side. Helena will be remembered as a selfless, loving woman who was the core of her family and made everyone she knew feel significant. Her unyielding support and immense generosity will be missed by all who knew her. She had a remarkable wit and a laugh to match. She was a lifelong educator, a fierce tennis and bridge opponent, a wonderful cook and a very special nanaw. Helena was born November 16, 1938, in Covington, Kentucky, to parents Edna Louise Johnston and Marion W. McNary. Marion passed away when Helena was young and her stepfather, Fred B. Picket, became a very important person in her life. She grew up in Centerville, Ind., and lived in Terre Haute and Muncie, Ind., Winnetka, Ill., Fort Benning, Ga., and Killeen, Texas, before moving to Saratoga, Calif., with her family in 1974. In the early 1980’s, she and her family spent several years living in Cobham, England, and traveled extensively through Europe during that time. Helena graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind., with a post-graduate degree in Education and was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. Helena was always an active member in her local PEO chapter and for the last 25 years, enjoyed volunteering her time to the PEO-sponsored Nearly New store in San Jose. She was an avid fan of Indiana University basketball, the San Francisco 49ers and every sports team of her three children. She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Dan Leckrone; sons Mac and John Leckrone; daughter, Susan Leckrone Anhalt; and grandchildren Jack, Ava, Kiril, Jamie, Danielle and Amelia. Other survivors include her sister, Mary Ann Miller McCormick; nephews, Doug, Steven, Mathew and David Miller; eight grand-nephews and grand-nieces, and her stepbrother, Jim Pickett. A memorial gathering for friends and family will be held Saturday, November 15 from 11:00 – 12:00 at Mills Funeral Home, 405 East Main Street, Centerville, Ind. Later that day, Helena will be put to rest by her family in Crown Hill Cemetery in Centerville, where she will join her parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and many other family members. The family is also hosting a celebration of her life on Sunday, November 16, from 2:00 – 4:00 at Saratoga Country Club, 21990 Prospect Road, Saratoga, CA. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Helena Jane McNary Leckrone

November 16, 1938 - November 8, 2008