Published April 19, 2019
MELROSE — Leola V. McCallum, 92, of Melrose, passed away at the Melrose Wakefield Hospital on April 10, 2019.
Leola was born and raised in Melrose and a graduate of Melrose High School, Class of 1944. She was a homemaker and a lifelong Melrose resident. Leola worked as a Nurse’s Aide for the Melrose Wakefield Hospital for many years, was a member of the Church of the Nazarene in Melrose where she sang in the choir. She enjoyed playing cards, knitting, crocheting, and browsing thrift shops and yard sales.
Leola made many trips to Washington state to visit her sister Cleora and loved to take trips with her family to the White Mountains, Lincoln, N.H. and Clark’s Trading Post. She enjoyed entertaining family and friends at her home and her grandchildren and family were the most important part of her life.
Leola was the beloved wife of the late Harland G. McCallum Sr. Loving mother of Harland G. McCallum Jr. and his wife Marjorie, Chester A. McCallum, all of N.J., Debbie L. McCallum, Diane L. Genica, Denise D. Caughey, all of Melrose. Caring sister of Cleora E. Atwood and her late husband Irving of Wash. and the late Chester A. MacLean and his late wife Olive. Also survived by 15 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Visiting hours were held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose on Wednesday, April 17, followed by a funeral service. Relatives and friends were respectfully invited to attend. Burial was private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Leola’s name to the American Lung Assoc., 460 Totten Pond Rd., Waltham, MA 02451. For directions and to sign online condolence visit www.gatelyfh.com.
