Leona Marie Bush

Leona Marie Bush (Monnot), known to all as Buz, lived eighty-seven fruitful years, full of love for others and equally loved by many. She was born in Snoqualmie, WA on February 26, 1928, the first of eleven children born to Frank Louis Monnot and Adrienne Marie Monnot (Dore). Her birth was followed by ten others: Frank, John, Martha and Margarite (twins), Joe, Jim, Ed, Paul, Mary and Dave. The family struggled through the Great Depression and their early years were marked by poverty, but were rich in memories. She told the story of living by the Snoqualmie River when it flooded. An uncle saved their lives, carrying the twins over his head while the others waded to safety.When Buz was 20, the family moved to Wenatchee, where she met the love of her life, Raymond (Ray) Bertram Bush. Ray spent much of their courtship working on a dairy farm on the west coast, but they corresponded with each other through countless letters. When together, they would spend much of their time just walking and talking, or climbing Saddlerock. Dad stole his first kiss, after which Buz replied, "You better go home!" They married on December 1st, 1950. They lived on the dairy farm in Montesano, Washington for a couple of years. In 1952, they heard of a job opening back in Wenatchee - Alcoa. They left Montesano with $15.00 in their pocket, one daughter, and another on the way. Buz had something about her that people were drawn to. The goodness of her soul was evident not only in her actions and words, but in the collection of people she loved and cared for her whole life. Ray and Buz opened their home to many who needed extra stability and love; thus began Buz's legacy of being a substitute 'mom' to many and counselor to many more. All problems were bathed in prayer and faith. Their table was always open to anyone who needed a meal and sometimes a place to stay; neighbor kids, young adults with special needs from the Christopher House around the corner, their children's friends and even friends' parents. Many became her life-long friends.Buz prayed to Saint Michael the Archangel daily for protection over her family. Once during a visit from her faith-healing friend, Sister Mary Matthew, sister saw huge angels standing shoulder-to-shoulder around the entire property. This was a great comfort to Buz. Most who stepped into the house on Douglas St. could feel the peace and protection, which brought them back again and again.Buz had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh. Many family get-togethers would find the family huddled in one room, retelling stories of times gone by that sparked riotous laughter. Those moments with Buz will be missed and we will always hold the sound of her laughter in our hearts. Buz was a woman of great humility who never wanted to be put on a pedestal, but those who knew and loved her couldn't help but doing so. Her faith was a foundation for all her words and deeds. She dearly loved her Catholic faith. For many years Buz walked to daily Mass. She was a prayer warrior, and would offer up her own suffering on behalf of someone else. She spent countless hours praying for the souls of her ever-growing family, her friends and anyone on her heart. She saw the light of Christ in all people. She was a mother to all, friend to all, confidant to all; always pointing the way to hope in The Lord. Buz and Ray were faithful members of St Joseph's Catholic Church. Buz belonged to several Guilds. She was a volunteer at First Choice (now Real Options) for several years. She also worked for 10 years as a night matron at the juvenile detention center while raising a family during the day. Buz and her good friend, Georgia, were key in establishing the 24 hour Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Prayer Chapel in 1991 at St. Joseph's Convent. Buz spent many hours day and night at the chapel in prayer until the program took hold and hours could be filled by volunteers. To this day, someone has been in the chapel praying 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the past 24 years. For many years Buz corresponded with George Cordova, an inmate on death row in Texas, and helped him find The Lord in his life. Buz held a vigil for George on the night of his execution; praying him into the merciful, loving arms of Jesus. Buz was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2002 and as her health and mobility declined; she never complained. Even when cancer was taking her from us and she grew too weak to even stand, she wanted to be in her chair in the living room, surrounded by family. Until the very end, her concern was always for those around her. She was concerned about her daughters, who became her caregivers, that they were not getting enough rest. She was also worried whether there was enough food in the house for all those who came to give back a little of the love Buz so cheerfully showered on them over the years.Buz is reunited with loved ones gone before her and is now resting safely in the arms of Jesus. We will miss her greatly, but rejoice with her, as well. Future family get-togethers will still find us huddled in one room retelling stories of our youth, but her laughter will be heard from heaven. Her journey is done-she is home. Buz was preceded in death by her father, Frank, in 1972, her mother, Adrienne, in 2003, her brother Frank in 2000, her sister Martha in 2008, her brother Ed in 2009 and her brother Joe in 2013. Buz is survived by her husband Ray, who she lovingly referred to as my dear sweetheart, her children: Chris (Eric), Maria (Ernie), Steve, Mark (Joan), Melanie (Jeff), Deanna (Rich), Greg (Mandy), and 17 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Rosary will be held on Thursday, August 13, at 6:00 pm at Telford's Chapel of the Valley. Funeral Mass will be on Friday, August 14, at 11:00 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Leona Marie Bush

February 26, 1928 - August 4, 2015