Hattie Leyda

Hattie Marie Libbey Leyda, longtime resident of Westminster Village, passed Monday morning, January 25, 2010 at Westminster Village. She was 102 years of age.

Hattie was born April 7, 1907 in the Eureka Springs, Arkansas area, the second of six children born to Joel Harrison Libbey and Stella May Bridgeman Libbey. At age 12 her mother died leaving her father to care for the children. When he couldnt care for them they were separated and sent to live with other family. Hattie went with her fathers cousin, Clarence Libbey and wife, Ada, to live in Altamont, Kansas.

Hattie learned to play the piano, violin and love the Lord from her cousin Lois Libbey. Hattie faithfully attended the First Baptist Church in Altamont. She was a graduate of the Labette County Community High School in Altamont. She was married to Connell L. Don Leyda on July 17, 1927 in Lawrence, Kansas. Hattie had worked at the Kansas Ordinance Plant in Parsons, Kansas during World War II while her husband was overseas.

Hattie had lived in Oswego, Girard and Coffeyville, Kansas prior to moving to Westminster Village, Ponca City, Oklahoma in June of 1999. Hattie moved to Ponca City to be close to her granddaughter, Cindy Watson and daughterinlaw, Fran Leyda Long. Hattie was a true homemaker who enjoyed cooking, painting and making crafts of all kinds and her love was designing and making quilts of all kinds. Hattie always enjoyed doing for others and always had a handmade gift, hot rolls or homemade candy for them. She was well loved at Westminster Village and was known for her large collection of Teddy Bears.

She is survived by her two grandchildren, Col. Chris Leyda and wife, Sunpok, of Valrico, Florida and Cindy Watson and husband, John, of Ponca City her daughterinlaw, Fran Leyda Long and husband, Don, of Ponca City her sister, Lucile Novak of Newhall, California one niece, Norma Brooks of Overland Park, Kansas four great grandchildren, Christopher Leyda Jr. and Clarissa Leyda, Kelley Watson and Gage Watson three stepgrandchildren, Kym Seals, Lori Sturgeon and Mark Long two stepgreat grandchildren, Rachael Haws and Emily Vinyard. She was preceded in death by her parents her husband, Connell L. Don Leyda in 1983 her son, Donald L. Leyda in 1980 her fathers cousins Clarence and Ada Libbey her beloved cousin, Lois Libbey brother John Jack Libbey Esther Burger, Dorothy Alderson and Myrtle Shelton.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, January 29, 2010 at the Altamont, Kansas First Baptist Church, 400 Wabash in Altamont. A graveside committal service is planned for 2 p.m. Friday, January 29, 2010 at the Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Parsons, Kansas. Rev. Greg Garrett, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Altamont, Kansas will preside. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel, Ponca City, Oklahoma. There will public viewing at Grace Memorial Chapel from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. both Wednesday and Thursday.

Memorial contributions may be made in Hatties name to Westminster Village, 1601 Academy Road, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74604.