Leonora Ware

Johnson Schulhof Christman

10/17/1920 – 03/03/2014

Leonora Ware Johnson Schulhof Christman, 93, of Rocklin, passed away peacefully on Monday March 3, 2014.

She was born to the late George Ware and Gretchen Loman Ware, on October 7, 1920 in Big Springs, Texas. The family moved to Oakland California when she was in high school.

Leonora was passionate about sewing and clothing design. Always the entrepreneur, she opened a series of fabric stores, beginning in 1966 and developed a ladies pants pattern. She retired in 1983 after spending many years traveling the U.S. teaching women and men how to sew the perfect pair of pants.

She never lost her love of fabric and fashion, sewing up to age 92 on five machines in her assisted living studio at Casa De Santa Fe. A fashion show of her latest “Leonora’s” coat design was held at Casa de Santa Fe. She had been very active as President of the Auburn Chapter of the American Sewing Guild, Sierra College Patrons Club, and The Red Hats Society where she served as Queen Mum.

Leonora is survived by 3 children: Jeff Johnson (Sharon) of Newcastle California, Candace Winiarski (Tom) of Lansing Michigan, and Julie Johnson of Oakland California. She is also survived by 5 grandchildren: Jeremy Johnson, Jacky Johnson, Gina Johnson, John Winiarski, Erin Winiarski, her sister Mary Lilley, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to in her honor to Rock, Paper, Scissors an innovative organization which teaches sewing and design to young people in Oakland, Calif. (rpscollective.org).

A Memorial will be held on April 25, 2014 at 11 a.m. at the Johnson’s Newcastle residence.
Source:  Gold Country Media Newspapers on Mar. 13, 2014