Rona Leigh, 57, passed away at her home in Butte, MT, on August 30, 2024. Rona was born in Anaconda, MT to Laura (Miller) Gonzalez and Bill Miller. She was raised by her grandparents William and Erma McMeekin in Whitehall, MT with the help of Laura and Edward Gonzalez.
Growing up, she loved riding horses, sewing, piano, art lessons, acrobatics, and working on the family ranch. Rona moved pipeline, helped with the gardening, attempted to tame countless feral farm cats, and spent a lot of time chasing her sisters around (sometimes with frying pans!). In high school, Rona excelled, playing basketball, playing the clarinet in marching band, dancing for the drill team, and cheerleading for the Whitehall Trojans before graduating with the class of 1985.
Rona married Bill Oestreich and had her first daughter, Ashleigh, in 1986. Rona moved around during her life, living in California for a while and then returning to Montana. She lived in Bozeman, Kalispell, and Missoula before finding her forever home in Butte. Rona took pride and found much joy during her career at the Montana Power Company and later Northwestern Energy, working as an IRWA and Senior Realty Property Specialist in the land and permitting department. In 2002, she and Dennis Sanchez welcomed Rona’s second daughter, Haileigh, into the world. Haileigh was a beacon of happiness in Rona’s life as she was busy climbing the ladder in a male-dominated corporation, closing multimillion-dollar land deals, and working her way to the top, earning an early retirement in 2017.
Rona eventually upgraded her title of mom, becoming a grandma in 2007 with the birth of her first grandson, Colt, who she bragged about to anyone who would listen. She was generous with the nest egg she’d worked so hard to build, always the first to offer help to family and friends, whenever they found themselves in need of a hand up.
Although Rona had health issues for many years of her retirement, she was the happiest she’d ever been in those years. She reconnected with old friends, kept Facebook busy with happy memes, and had a Bonanza Freeze shake each day. Rona was blessed to spend time with her second grandbaby, McKinleigh, born earlier this year.
Rona passed away at home, per her wishes. To the very end, she lived her life on her terms. She was loved by many and will be sorely missed.
Rona was preceded in death by her beloved Erma, uncle “Rib” (Richard McMeekin), her mother, Laura, and stepfather, Edward “Speedy” Gonzalez; sister, Daile “Tater” MacLeod; and her longtime partner, Rob Piazzola. She was also preceded in death by her grandparents, Tommy and Dolores Barclay, and her aunt Linda Miller.
Rona is survived by her daughters, Ashleigh (Cody) Kenison, Haileigh Sanchez; her grandchildren, Colt and McKinleigh Kenison; her siblings Cena Phillips, Jory (Nora) Gonzalez, and Jana (Rob) Miller; and many other extended family members including nieces, nephews, and cousins. The family wishes to extend its deepest gratitude to Rona’s aunt Cheryl Dunn and dear friend Tracey Foley for helping her pass away comfortably, surrounded by love, and on her own terms.
They would also like to give a special note of thanks to George Giacomini for his friendship to Rona, and for helping her to carry out some of her bucket-list wishes over the past couple of years.
If you were lucky enough to know this lovely lady, please share stories and any pictures you have to ronaleighmemories@gmail.com. A memorial to celebrate this beautiful woman will be held October 25, 2024.
Axelson Funeral & Cremation Services is privileged to care for Rona and her family.
Please visit below to leave her family a condolence, or to share a memory of Rona.
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