Leona Kirbitz (Kolena)

Kirbitz, Leona M. (Kolena), of Flint, Michigan, died peacefully in her home on March 10, 2020. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10AM on March 14 at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 3139 Hogarth Ave. Flint. The Very Reverend Father Anthony Strouse, celebrant. Burial following at Flint Memorial Park, Mt. Morris. Visitation will be held 3PM-8PM Friday with a Knights of Columbus Rosary being prayed at 7PM at Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Road, Swartz Creek. Visitation will also be held 9AM until time of mass at the church. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Y.W.C.A of Greater Flint or Carriage Town Ministries in Leona's memory. Leona was born in the small coal mining town of Grindstone, PA, the eldest child of John M. and Mary (Polkabla) Kolena. After Leona graduated from high school, she and her family moved to Flint, where she married Richard A. (Dick) Kirbitz on April 29, 1950. Their reception was held at Zehnder's in Frankenmuth, where they faithfully celebrated their anniversary every year for nearly 67 years until Dick's death in 2017. Residents of Flint and Flint Township for their entire married life, Dick and Leona raised two children, Richard J. and Kevin M. Kirbitz. Leona worked for three companies over 42 years as a secretary, with the entire time in Flint's Mott Foundation building, culminating in 1966 when she was hired by General Motors Public Relation in their downtown Flint office, retiring in 1987. Leona was an active member locally in Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, the American Business Women's Association, and the Industrial Business Girls. Dick and Leona enjoyed the company of friends and family for many years at their annual Christmas parties, and in their later years, with the "breakfast bunch" at the Clio Big Boy. In addition to her husband, Leona was predeceased by two brothers and sister: John M. (Patricia) Kolena, Jr., Veronica A. (Stanley) Sujak, and Thomas J. (Marilyn) Kolena. Leona is survived by her sons, Richard (Mary Ann) of Flushing and Kevin (Denise) of Grand Blanc; grandchildren, Jonathan, Michael (Christine), Kellie (fiance', Sam Joyce), and Ryan. The family would like to acknowledge goddaughter, Darlene Becker; sister-in-law, Marilyn Burch and special BFF, Phyllis Lake, and wishes to thank the staff of Tranquility Estates and Absolute Private Duty Care, especially Kelly, Yashonda, and Tieler, and Absolute Hospice nurse Mary, for providing exceptional comfort and care over the last several months. Tributes may be shared on the obituaries page of www.sharpfuneralhomes.com