Leona Jeanne Hawkwood

Leona Jeanne Hawkwood passed peacefully on Sunday, July 27, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was born on February 3, 1931, in Moose Jaw, SK. Leona was predeceased by her loving husband, Miles Hawkwood (2002), and beloved granddaughter, Hallie MacCuaig (2023).

Leona’s memory will be forever treasured by her children: Sue (Gord), Brent (Gina), Janet (Shelley), and Carol (Jan); her grandchildren: Crystal, Ryan (Larissa), Kelsey, Paula, and Ben; and her great-grandson, George.

Growing up as an only child, Leona found the joy of a bustling family life when she met Miles Hawkwood and was welcomed into the lively gatherings around Grandma Hawkwood’s kitchen table. Leona and Miles shared over 50 years of marriage. Together, they raised Holsteins on their dairy farm along the old 1A Highway, just east of the original Hawkwood homestead. In 1969, they picked up their house (literally) and moved to their grain and cattle farm north of the Spy Hill Gaol in Symons Valley. There, they continued to build their life together - raising four children and filling their days with adventures, travel, great friends and neighbours, and countless games of cribbage.

Family was the very heart of Leona’s life. She instilled in her children, and then her grandchildren, the values of hard work, community, and the importance of giving back. She nurtured their independence, and they knew they had her unwavering support without judgment - though never without her candid opinion.

Leona’s warmth and intelligence extended beyond her immediate family. As a friend and neighbour, she shared her passion for cooking, gardening, houseplants (particularly orchids), politics, and the stock market. Leona was a successful businesswoman who was more than willing to share her many insights around the kitchen table. Sundays with Leona were about home cooking, card games, laughter, and spirited conversations.

Her strength, candidness, wry sense of humour, and resilience were something we all aspired to. She will be deeply missed, and we know she is gazing down on us and saying: “you wouldn’t have wanted me any other way!”

Memorial services for Leona will be held at Middle Path Buddhist Temple (403-547-9031) located a few hundred yards south of the family farm at 23034 Township Rd 261A Calgary, AB on August 8, 2025, at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Salvation Army www.salvationarmy.ca/donations

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