Leava Irene Pender of Hermiston passed away in Hermiston on March 24, 2025 at the age of 84.
She was born on July 27, 1940 in Washington, D.C. to Thomas and Matilda Garrison Miller.
Leava moved with her family to the Oregon coast as a young child. She grew up and attended schools in Tillamook and graduated from the Tillamook Catholic High School. In the mid-1970s she moved to Hermiston, where she lived for the next 30 years. She worked as a home building contractor in the Hermiston area for several years. She then owned and operated Letz Paint, a paint store in Hermiston, for the next 10 years. In 2006 she retired and moved to the Portland area, where she lived until returning to Hermiston in 2024.
Leava enjoyed gardening, working in her yard and trips to the Oregon coast.
She is survived by sons, Craig Pender and Cory Pender; several grandchildren; sister, Joy Hergert; and many extended family members.
She was preceded in death by a son, Curt Pender; her parents; and a brother, Gale Miller.
A celebration of life will be held this summer in Oregon City.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
