Leocadia Navarro

Leocadia “Leo” Navarro, 94, of Topeka, passed away on March 8, 2022, at Hillsdale Home Plus.

She was born in Topeka, Kansas on December 9, 1927, the daughter of Carlos and Pabla (Zendejas) Serrano.

She attended Our Lady of Guadalupe School, was a graduate of Capital Catholic High School and attended Wards Business College.  During WWII she was employed by Seymours to candle eggs prior to their preparation to be powdered to be sent to troops overseas. Leocadia worked as a Bookkeeper for the State Treasurer’s Office for 30 years prior to her retirement.  She was also a cook for the Sisters of Holy Name Convent.

She enjoyed cooking, baking, and traveling.  She sang in the Spanish “Guadalupano” Choir at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.

Leo was a member of LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) and was instrumental in starting the LULAC Center for the Elderly.  She was an original member of the La Colonia Elderly Housing Project board.  Leo was recognized in January of 1998 by Living the Dream, Inc. for outstanding contributions to the Topeka and Shawnee County community as an individual that contributed to the ideals in keeping with Martin Luther King Jr.

Leocadia married John L.S. Navarro in Topeka, Kansas on February 19, 1949.  He preceded her in death on December 13, 1988.   She was also predeceased by her son John Anthony Navarro on January 13, 2010.  Survivors include her siblings, Vicente Serrano and wife Carmen of Littleton, CO, Philip Serrano and wife Amelia of Topeka, Peter Serrano and wife Bridget of Dallas, TX, and Margaret Cortez of Topeka. Her siblings Louis Serrano and Natividad Serrano also predeceased her.  She was held in high regard, with love and affection by her many nieces and nephews.

She will lie in state at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on Friday, March 18th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a rosary prayed at 4:00 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, March 19^th, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m.  Interment will follow in Westlawn Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6^th Ave., Topeka, Kansas  66603.

Online condolences and fond memories may be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.