Leona Fay Valdez passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at Whispering Pines Inn, Hollister, CA, at the age of 94.
Leona was born in Denton, Texas, on January 6, 1931, the eighth of nine children to Ray and Ora Hunter. She attended elementary school in Tres Pinos, CA, and high school at Hollister High.
At age 7, Leona migrated from Denton, TX, to Tres Pinos, CA, where her father would find work and raise the children still remaining at home. Upon arrival to Tres Pinos, they saw Ed and Jim Valdez playing catch in the street. Ed ran into the house to tell his mother, Carmen Valdez, that there were some Oakies moving in at the end of the street. The Hunter and Valdez families became great friends. Little did Edward know he would go on to marry one of those “Oakies”, Leona! They married on July 3, 1949. They had two children, a son, Donald E. Valdez, born June 15, 1950, and a daughter, Karen L. Valdez, born April 5, 1954. Leona was extremely hardworking and went on to do whatever she could to help Edward support their family. The primary jobs she worked was ranch hand cook for the Cook House at Rancho Quien Sabe of San Benito Co., 34 years as an Institutional Cook for Southside and Hazel Hawkins Hospitals, line worker for Garlic Foods, and worked the Cafeteria at Hollister High School. After working hard, enjoying family, friends, and grandchildren, Leona and Edward continued onto many wonderful adventures in their retirement.
Leona is survived by her son, Donald E. Valdez, and daughter-in-law, Chris Pacheco-Valdez; daughter Karen L. Valdez; grandsons: Edward F. Turner (Shanda Renfrow) and Joseph K.; granddaughters: Julie Rae
Valdez, Dawn Merri Valdez and Brenda Pacheco-Vargas and husband Benjamin Vargas; great-grandchildren: John Valdez, Mason Turner, Dalton Turner, Brooks Turner, Madilyn Vargas, Jason Vargas, and Rebekah Vargas. She was also survived by numerous amazing nieces, nephews, and friends.
Leona was predeceased by her parents, Ray and Ora Hunter, brothers: Herman, Arnold, Charles, Clarence, and sisters: Ruth, Ardela, Pauline, Alma Lee and grandson: Jayson Orabuena.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 4, 2025, from 10 am to 12 pm at Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home, with a reception immediately following at Ridgemark, Diablo Dining Room.
Any desired Memorial Donations can be made to AutismSpeaks.org or a charity of their choosing in “Memory of Leona F. Valdez”.
Leona was a strong, sometimes opinionated woman with a beautiful heart of gold. She was kind, caring, giving, and would do whatever she could do to help someone. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. The wonderful memories she leaves behind are immeasurable. She will be dearly missed and loved forever and always!! All who love Leona are so happy that she is finally with the love of her life, Edward, in heaven, never to be separated again.