Cecilia Frances Leier Horton Obituary (1921

Cecilia Frances Leier HORTON Cecilia Frances Leier Horton was born on February 25, 1921, in Strasburg, North Dakota. For the next 92 years, this vivacious and irrepressibly upbeat lady brightened the world of her family, friends, and countless strangers who happened to be passing by. She died in Seattle in the early hours of May 29, 2013. Cecilia was the eighth of nine children born to John and Genevieve Leier, German immigrants who traveled to America from their home near Odessa in South Russia. Cecilia sought broader horizons and worked for a year earning tuition in order to attend St. Alexius school of nursing in Bismarck. There was a war going on, and she entered military service with training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Great Lakes, Illinois. She was stationed at the naval base in Newport, Rhode Island, as a Navy nurse with the rank of Ensign. Her sparkling personality made her a popular figure, and she soon met a Navy doctor, William Horton, who had recently finished duty aboard the destroyer Monaghan in the Pacific. His gentle manner and dark curly hair were a perfect match for her, and they married at the training station chapel in Newport on June 2, 1945--"The wedding party members were all in white uniform," as the newspaper announcement reported. Bill's medical career led them to Boston, where son John was born, and to study at the Menninger Clinic in Topeka, Kansas, where daughter Mary was born. The opportunity to move to Seattle and join the Northwest Clinic of psychiatry came in 1949, and the family grew with the addition of Susan, Robert, and Janet. After their first child, Cecilia was warned by a doctor not to have more children because of her blood pressure. She got a different doctor. Moving to Laurelhurst and a beloved house on Lake Washington, Cecilia raised her children and kept busy with volunteer work, including her tireless efforts for Assumption and St. Bridget's parishes. The family enjoyed vacations on the Washington and Oregon coasts, and a few long road trips to the Midwest are the stuff of family legend. Cecilia and Bill enjoyed their many decades of season tickets to Husky football, Seattle Rep, and the symphony and opera. Bill died in 1989, and Cecilia remained devoted to him even as her circle of loyal friends grew larger and stronger. Cecilia was truly a "half glass full" person, and her nuggets of philosophy and amusing catchphrases are cherished by family and friends. She had an incredible life force that kept her going despite a number of physical challenges in recent years, and she exited the world gracefully. Having volunteered at Providence Hospital for more than 30 years, she died there in familiar surroundings. The family thanks Dr. David Broudy and the staff of Swedish Cherry Hill for their care. Cecilia is survived by her children, John Horton (Jane), Mary Horton, Susan Leaverton, Robert Horton (Evyan), and Janet Horton--all of Seattle--and her grandchildren Jesse Horton, Molly Lamb (Jim), Julia Leaverton, and Jack Leaverton; two sisters, Mrs. Stan Taykalo (Kitty) and Mrs. Glenn Aamodt (Jen); and many beloved nieces and nephews. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, June 5, at 11 a.m., at St. Bridget Church, 4900 N.E. 50th St., Seattle. Donations in Cecilia's memory may be made to Providence Health and Services. Hoffner Fisher & Harvey Guestbook at harveyfuneral.com To send a flower arrangement in memory of Cecilia Frances Leier Horton, please click here to visit our sympathy store.