Grace Ledford-Leisy dies at 87
Grace Ledford-Leisy.
Grace Ledford-Leisy, 87, died on September 29, 2017, at her care home, The Gables of Ojai, where she resided close to her son, Kenyon Ledford, for the last 1 ½ years. Previously, Grace was a resident of Paso Robles for 35 years.
Grace Pauline Jasper was born December 15, 1929 in Evanston, IL where she lived with her parents Harry & Pauline (Schmidt) Jasper and older brother, Harry. After graduating Evanston Township High School, Grace worked in the Personnel Department of Lord’s Department Store. Her father’s retirement from Evanston Fire Department followed with a move with her parents to the Southern California beachside community of Corona del Mar. Grace began working for the City of Newport Beach, where she met her future mother-in-law, who introduced Grace to her son, Hal Ledford. Grace and Hal married in 1953. Hal worked as a real estate appraiser. They were both active in the Republican Party as well as in their local church. They semi-retired to Paso Robles in 1980. Hal worked part-time for Senior Nutrition in San Miguel and Grace with the Personnel Department of The County of San Luis Obispo. Grace retired in 1991 and they enjoyed trips to the coast of California and Oregon. They had hoped to build a summer home in Bandon, OR, but Hal died unexpectedly in 1994.
After Hal’s death, Grace became more independent and active in the community, enjoying attending the Outdoorswoman Program by California Fish and Game. She became a docent for the Pioneer Museum and helped at the Paso Robles Library. While volunteering at the library, Grace met Gilbert Leisy. They were married in 1997. For nearly 10 years, Grace & Gil enjoyed life, attending Shrine events and going on cruises to locations that included Alaska, the Panama Canal and Hawaii. Following Gil’s death, Grace attended and supported a new local church plant, Mid State Baptist Church, where she enjoyed fellowshipping until she could no longer attend due to illness. Grace was preceded in death by her second husband, Gilbert Leisy of Paso Robles; her first husband, Hal G. Ledford; her brother, Harry Jasper; and her parents, Harry and Pauline Jasper. She is also survived by her children of her first husband and their spouses, Valerie (Daniel) Clubb, Paula (Lisle) Smith and Ken Ledford, and her grandchildren and their spouses, Joshua (Kristi) Clubb, Ariel (Thomas) Stevenson, Nathaniel (Kelly) Clubb, Bradley (Steph) Smith and Garrett (Brittany) Smith, and nine great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, October 18 at Noon at Kuehl-Nocolay Funeral Home in Paso Robles, with her pastor, Bruce Fore officiating. A committal service will follow for immediate family only (Grace’s biological children and their families) at the Paso Robles Cemetery. In lieu of flowers and in honor of Grace’s love for reading, the family asks that donations be made in her name to the Paso Robles Library.
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