Hope was born in Pittsburgh in 1925. Her father was Russian and mother was American, of European-Jewish heritage. Hope is the oldest of two – having a sister born just 13 months later. They grew up in Squirrel Hill and attended Allderdice HS (generations of Hope’s family would later graduate from there, too).
During WWII, Hope attended the University of Pittsburgh and studied retail merchandising. Her first job out of college was working as a comparison shopper for Gimballs. She met her husband after the war on a blind date arranged by a mutual friend. Lawrence (Larry) Leyton married Hope in 1949. They settled in Pittsburgh, spending most of their married years in Squirrel Hill, where they raised three children.
Hope stayed at home with her children during their elementary schooling. In the early ’70s, when women in the workplace became more supported, Hope went back to school (Pitt) and got her Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling. She then had a career of 20+ years working in the Pittsburgh Public Schools helping children with special needs to get their diplomas. She was truly a beloved counselor, as is evidenced by former students, colleagues and friends keeping in touch with her long after her retirement.
Hope lost her husband after she retired, but never lost her zest for life! She traveled, read voraciously, played Bridge, had many friendships, and spent time with her four grandchildren, taking them to cultural events, outings, and various activities. And, long before it was popularized, Hope was a foodie! She read cookbooks cover to cover, took an interest in nutrition and health, and loved to host holiday dinners. She also took care of her mother, who lived to be 97 years young! In time, Hope became a great-grandmother, too… five times over!
She is fun and funny – with much of her humor at her own expense! This woman has quite a legacy of being an intelligent, loving, and caring daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother! A caring heart continues to beat in her, which gives us all hope in the goodness of humankind.
Learn more about our personalized approach to nurturing the spirit of life: Call Bonnie at 412.244.9901.