Obituary of Leanne Grace Coates

Leanne Grace (Altonen) Ensell Coates, fondly known as “The Queen”, 76, passed away Saturday, June 30, 2018 at ACMC.

            She was born January 23, 1942 in Ashtabula, the daughter of William A. and Bernice D. (Reed) Altonen and had been a lifelong Ashtabula resident.

            A 1960 graduate of Ashtabula High School, she spent the majority of her working career in family service at Greenlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery, retiring at the beginning of 2018.  She had also worked for Premix, Carlisle’s, and Western and Southern Insurance Company, as a Pre-need Advisor for Ducro Funeral Services, and as a truck driver. She had a passion for Greenlawn, and nearly all positive achievements at the cemetery relate back to a role she played. She loved helping families during those difficult times in their lives and knew the history of the cemetery backwards and forwards.

            A former member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, she was also a proud great-great-granddaughter of Peleg Sweet.

            A rebel in her time, Leanne loved Ozzy Osborne and heavy metal concerts, especially when she could attend them with her son, Scott. One of her fondest memories was the front row seats they had for the Ozzy concert when he sprayed her with foam and then handed her a towel to clean up. She was a member of The Woman’s Club of Ashtabula and was involved with the Grotto Hall.  With her sons, she travelled around the country and showed horses for years. She had been a loyal poll worker (not pole worker she would say!) for the Ashtabula County Board of Election for many years.  She also loved lighthouses and Walnut Beach. She and her dear friend and daughter-in-law, Sylvia Ensell, followed musician Dick Dale everywhere and she took many trips to Texas with her mother.

            Leanne will always be remembered for her clothes, classy dressing, stylish shoes, and love of skulls of which she had many items of jewelry and clothing with such imagery.  She was a strong and independent woman who would help anyone in need.  She was also a sports fan and avid QVC shopper.

            Her survivors include two children, Mark A. Ensell and Scott R. (Michelle “C.C.”) Ensell, both of Houston, TX; two grandchildren, Jordyn C. Ensell and Dylan S. Ensell, both of Houston, TX; a great-grandson, Liam Ensell; her brother, Lynn R. (Gloria) Altonen of Oil City, PA; her dear friends, Kathy “Hopsie” (Howard) Lines and Ruth Simmons; and her Greenlawn Family: Jen, Linda, Jessica, Jeff, Carl, and Mike.

            She was preceded in death by her longtime companion, Bruce Gramley on July 23, 2009; her Black Lab K-9 Companion, Benny Jett; and her parents.

            Calling hours will be Saturday, July 7, 2018 from 1 to 3PM with a service to follow at 3 PM at the ZABACK-WILLIAMS-DUCRO FUNERAL HOME, 500 West Prospect Road, Ashtabula.  Rev. Kenneth Roberts, Pastor of Pentecostal Church of God, will officiate.  Burial will be in Greenlawn Memory Gardens, N. Kingsville.

            Memorial contributions may be made to Wreathes Across America (c/o Greenlawn Memory Gardens, PO Box 570, N. Kingsville, OH 44068), a project to place a wreath on every veteran’s grave at Greenlawn and other cemeteries around the country this winter.

            www.ducro.com