Former Oregon resident Leona Fox died Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012.

She was born June 27, 1932, to Wanda and Joseph Galkoski, Plainfield, N.J.

Lee knew from early on that she wanted to be a nurse, and immediately after high school, she entered St. Peter's School of Nursing in New Brunswick, N.J.

She became an accomplished and respected emergency room nurse, where she served with compassion and excellence for many years.

Later, she became Assistant Director of Nurses at Trinity Terrace Nursing Home in Ft. Worth, Texas, where she passed on her legacy to a new generation of caregivers.

Lee retired after more than 35 years of nursing, and moved to Steamboat Springs, Colo., with her late husband, Ray, to be near the ski slopes they both loved so much.

She passed peacefully on his birthday, Aug. 28, and they are together again.

Leona is survived by her four children, Jeffery Fox, Jacqueline Russell, Andrew Fox, and Theresa Geary; her brothers and sister, Carl Galkoski, Paul Galkoski, and Valerie Lish; and five grandchildren.

Services were held at Holy Name Catholic Church, and she was laid to rest next to Ray on Sept. 6 at Steamboat Springs Cemetery, Steamboat Springs, Colo.