On May 10, shortly before her 60th birthday, Leora Ann Getris, with her family at her side, peacefully passed away after suffering a stroke.

The oldest child of Nancy (Andrus) and Bill Geris, she was born in the hospital her grandfather, Dr. L.M. Andrus, built.  Considering this was the 50s, her grandmother's sensibilities sent Bill to the store for a loaf of bread to spare him from watching the pains of childbirth. It worked; Leora arrived during his absence. (Wow, childbirth practices have changed!)

An adventurous and precocious child, Leora's favorite things involved being outside or competing in sports.  In her youth she competed on the Y swim team.  At Salinas High School she swam for the boys' team, played basketball for girls' team at the onset of Title IX, and threw the discus and the shot put for the track team.  Her drive and competitive spirit defined her life.

Leora's love of the outdoors took her camping, fishing, gardening, and cutting wood (she even asked for, and received, a chainsaw for her 16th birthday).  As a young adult, her desire to be outside, rather than in a classroom, really pushed her in her pursuits working for PG&E and the county road crew.  She was not afraid to work hard and fill jobs that were deemed at the time unconventional for women.

Leora was a master sandcastle builder.  All of us kids would be out there with Mom trying to dig a moat, find the perfect driftwood drawbridge, and haul water to the site to contribute to the latest creation.  We kids were in awe of her.  She was so enthusiastic, we would trail off and she would continue working on her creation.  Her enthusiasm was so exciting we could not help but join her.  We probably were not much help, but she made it feel like were all part of the grand plan.

In our youth, Mom would take us on random trips.  She would take whoever could fit in her van and then some (this was before seatbelt laws).  We would find ourselves in Arroyo Seco at the gorge, the Indians, or traveling down the Salinas River until we could not go any further. We had so much fun we continue to talk about it as adults.

Mom's heart was bigger than her van.  She took in all our friends.  She listened to those who needed to be heard, those who just needed to vent, and those who just needed a place to be quiet.  She never turned anyone away.

Mom fell on troubled and often tough times, but she never gave up.  Through a myriad of jobs over the years, she came back to doing what she did best: taking care of others.  She was a natural caregiver as she was happiest when helping others.  She would talk to us about her patients, and speak of her family to them exchanging stories about family.

Mom woke up and tried every day, even in her passing.  She would have been tickled pink to know that she was able to help others as a donor passing on her kidneys and skin grafts.

As a family we are more than sad to see her pass as she was too young; however, we are grateful that she helped two people to carry on with their lives, giving their families the opportunity to have hope and make memories.

Leora is preceded in death by her parents Nancy and Bill Getris.  She is survived by her two sisters, Martha Getris-Utschig (Joe Utschig) and Nancy Lee Getris, her children, Dan Rodriguez (Trina Tully), Sara Rodriguez, Jessica Rodriguez (Todd Wilkinson) and Rebecca Conner, along with her grandchildren, Mariah Davis, Trinity Kranzler, Allison Wilkinson, and John James Rodriguez, and the many nieces and nephews who were willing participants in the escapades of Aunt Leora.

A celebration of Leora's life will take place on July 13 at the Longbranch Saloon at the fairgrounds in King City from 12 to 4. If you are able to help honor Leora by bringing a side dish and a good story, we know she would be grateful and laughing.

For any further inquiries, please contact Eddington Funeral Services, 429 Bassett St., King City, (831) 385-5400, www.EFS-Cares.com .