Leona Grace Bughi Grassi

Leona Grace Bughi Grassi was born in Tekoa, WA, on September 11, 1929. She passed away peacefully at her home on November 8, 2024. Leona met and married Joseph Bughi, and they began their life together, raising their five children on the family farm. After Joseph’s untimely death in 1974, she stayed on their onion and vegetable farm, working the fields and caring for her home and family. She has taught many the value of hard work, enjoying all the young people who came to work on the farm during the summers. She was always busy in the fields or at her home, which seemed to be always filled with family and friends. She was a wonderful cook, and her food was enjoyed by many. Her Sunday fried chicken, spaghetti and meatballs were some of the favorites. At Christmas, she always created a large selection of goodies for visitors to enjoy. She took pride in her garden, yard, and flowers, especially her tulips and roses.  Her garden was huge, and she taught many family members how to freeze or preserve her bounty.

She married Ambrose Grassi in 1980. They enjoyed fishing, dancing, and traveling together. They often went camping and enjoyed a yearly family campout at Wallowa Lake. Throughout her life she was very active, learning to snow ski with family members, and was always ready to enjoy what life had to offer with a smile on her face.

When she had time, she loved to sew and make things for her home. The quilts that she made were beautiful. She was never without a book to read, and she shared her love of reading with all of her children. Family was her world, and she has spent her life surrounded by the love she created.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, five brothers, and two sisters. She is survived by all her children; Mike Bughi (Judy), Richard Bughi (Doreen), Larry Bughi (Jan), Kathy Zuger (Robert), Steve Bughi (Patti), Gordon Grassi (Phyllis), and Colleen Stalberger (Mitch); one sister, MaryAnn Warren; and many grandkids, great-grandkids, and great-great-grandkids.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 21, 2024, from 4:00 – 6:00 PM at Herring Groseclose Funeral Home. The Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, November 22, 2024, at 10:00 AM, at St. Francis Catholic Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Walla Walla Community Hospice through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla, WA 99362. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.