Leona Anderson

Leona Hays Goode Anderson 

June 29th, 1920 - August 28th, 2023

Leona Hays Goode Anderson was born between two creek banks in Texas, Kentucky. Mrs. Anderson was to be the oldest of five children. She was her parents third try at a first child, and they nailed it. After graduating high school, Leona went to secretarial school in Louisville. After graduating from secretarial school, Leona met the love of her life, John Anderson. They married then got on a bus, headed to Indianapolis, in hopes for better jobs. The two crazy kids found work, Leona as a secretary at Spicklemeier Industries and then at Atkinson & Co. Leona also worked at Naval Avionics during World War ll. 

Devastated by the sudden death of her beloved John in 1975, Leona needed to find work. Fate intervened when a friend got her an interview with Lilly Endowment. Leona beat out several candidates and landed the job as administrative assistant to the treasure of finance of Lily endowment. It was a match made in heaven. Leona stayed there for 17 years, retiring in 1992. After retiring, she took vacations several times to Switzerland and Europe.

Leona was known as a sharp dresser with a razor-sharp mind and quick wit. She made friends easily and you knew quickly where she stood. Leona was fearless and overcame many obstacles to live a remarkable life. She was fiercely devoted to her family and incredibly proud of every one of them. She loved her family, Elvis, Cadillacs and the Cincinnati Reds.

Mrs. Anderson was preceded in death by her husband John and daughter Jane Hays Anderson; brothers James and Sterling Goode; sisters Jane and Juanita Goode and parents, Lee Wesley and Georgie Lou Goode.

Leona is survived by her son, Joseph Anderson; grandsons Brent and Todd Van Duyn; great-grandsons Brian, Zachary and Owen Van Duyn; and great-great grandsons Tyler, Parker, Crew and Brooks Van Duyn; and brother Robert Goode.

Leona-isms

None of this will matter in a hundred years.

I am full as a tick.

Love is blind but marriage is an eye opener.