Long time resident of Tulsa and beloved matriarch of her large and loving family, Leona Glazer was born March 7, 1917 in Hannibal, Missouri and died peacefully Saturday, March 7th, 2015, on her 98th birthday.
Leona was the middle of seven children, of Sam and Sara Weissman, and grew up in St. Louis. She was preceded in death by three sisters and two brothers, her husband, William Glazer of Tulsa, her daughter, Rita Glazer Reznikoff of Encino, CA, her son, Steven Glazer of Mesa, AZ and her son-in-law, Herbert Reznikoff of Encino, CA.
She is survived by her daughter, Tobi Glazer Rubin of Mill Valley, CA, her brother, Sanford Weissman of St. Louis, Mo., her son-in law, Mark Rubin of Mill Valley, CA, her daughter in-law, Lynn Glazer of Mesa, AZ, her son-in-law, Jon Goldman of Mesa, AZ and Adele Reznikoff of Encino, CA.
She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Brent Blaustein (Veronica), Jeff Reznikoff, Stacy Reznikoff Kent (Ranon), Lauren Blaustein Budesheim (Torsten), Evan Glazer (Michelle), Robert Glazer (Temi) and Suzanne Reznikoff Marks (Zach). Also by Henry Rubin (Laura), Michael Rubin (Carey) and 15 great grandchildren and 18 nieces and nephews.
She was affectionally called "The General" by her grandchildren and that was an apt and loving description of Leona.
While visiting relatives in Okla. City, she met Bill Glazer from Tulsa and they married in 1938 in her home in St. Louis, while Bill was still in the Army. They lived in Virginia during his service years and then moved back to Tulsa. They had a beautiful marriage until Bill passed away in 1988. They loved to travel, play golf and were totally devoted to their grandchildren.
The Glazers were active members of Congregation B'nai Emunah, with Leona involved in the Sisterhood and many other projects in the synagogue. An energetic volunteer, she willingly gave of her time and effort to many charitable organizations, including National Council of Jewish Women, Hadassah, the Gift Shop at St. John Hospital for 25 years, and the Tulsa Jewish Federation, among others.
If she read in the paper or heard about someone who needed help, she quietly offered what she could and asked that her contribution remain anonymous. Leona will always be fondly remembered by family and friends as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and as a pillar of strength for her community.
Her life will stand as an inspiration to all who knew her. Although she was feisty, opinionated and headstrong, she was also kind, thoughtful, generous and helpful to others. An extremely resilient woman, she lived her life with a positive attitude, taking in stride the loss of her husband and two adult children, by continuing a loving and caring relationship with the families of those children.
On her 95th birthday, her grandchildren prepared a book for her, writing 95 reasons they loved Grandma Leona: "She is strong, confident and regal… She is always right… She is more stylish and chic than her much younger grandchildren… She never keeps her opinions to herself… She is the strongest, most determined woman I know… She is the glue that holds the family together".
The family wishes to thank Dr. John Carment, and with great appreciation, the staff at Tulsa Jewish, who looked after her with constant love and affection; her recent caregivers Karen, Christina, and Holly; and Elaine, first her companion/friend for many years, and then her loving and caring caregiver.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Congregation B'nai Emunah or Tulsa Jewish Retirement and Health Care Center.
Funeral Service will be 12 Noon, Monday, March 9, 2015, at B'nai Emunah, Peoria at 17th Street, Tulsa. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Memorial Park Cemetery.
Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel 918-585-1151