Leona Carol Pistoresi, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away on July 24, 2026, at the age of 84 following a brief illness.
Born to Lawrence (Pat) and Juanita (Nellie) Pittz in Merced and raised in Chowchilla, Leona’s creative spirit was evident from an early age. As a child, she loved building forts and playhouses from scraps left over from her father’s construction projects. She also delighted in asking neighbors for cuttings from their gardens, carefully nurturing them into beautiful gardens of her own. That lifelong love of gardening flourished, and as an adult, Leona became known for having one of the most amazing gardens in the community.
During her years at Chowchilla High School, Leona was well-liked by classmates and elected Student Body President. She was a majorette, played on the tennis team, and was crowned Homecoming Queen. It was there that she met and fell in love with Monte Pistoresi. They married when Leona was 19 and shared 65 wonderful years together, raising four children and building a life centered on church, family, and the many activities of their children. Monte was the love of her life, and she missed him deeply following his passing in April 2025.
A lifelong learner, Leona pursued higher education after her children were grown, earning a Bachelor’s degree from the University of San Francisco and a Master of Social Work from California State University, Fresno. Her intellectual curiosity never faded. She explored subjects ranging from religion and nutrition to the power of positive thinking, and, at the age of 80, began taking piano lessons simply for the joy of learning. Leona’s professional career reflected her dedication to education and service. She spent more than 20 years at Chowchilla High School, serving as Registrar, teacher, and ultimately retiring as Career Center Director. She also earned her real estate license and served as an adjunct faculty member at Merced College.
Above all, Leona will be remembered for her compassion. She lived with an open heart and had a remarkable gift for welcoming and caring for those who needed encouragement, often “adopting” people who were struggling or alone. Her generosity, kindness, gratitude, and unending desire to learn touched the lives of countless people.
Leona shared a special bond with each of her seven grandchildren, creating treasured memories that will be carried forward for generations. Family vacations to Pajaro Dunes and later Bass Lake became beloved traditions. Themed Thanksgivings, joyful Christmas celebrations, and attending their sporting events, school plays, recitals, performances, and tea parties were among the many moments that brought the family together and will be fondly remembered.
Leona was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Monte; her brother, Jack; and her sister, Laurali. She is survived by her brother, Frank; her children, Tim (Jonae), Mike (Celeste), Patti, and Ted (Patty); her seven grandchildren, Katie, Vincent, Stephen, Nick, Sami, Selena, and Thomas; and her seven great-grandchildren, Gianna, Vienna, Ellie, Enzo, Violet, Rory, and Louise.
A celebration of life will be held at Jay Chapel in Madera on August 13, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of Leona’s favorite charities, Tunnel to Towers Foundation: dogood.t2t.org.