Irma Celina Leffel
May 30, 1939 — April 24, 2017
Irma died April 24, 2017, at her home in Indio, CA. She was born in Tucson, AZ. She was the second of seven children of Delia (Dee) and Manuel Molina. Her mother, father, sister and a brother moved to Los Angeles, where her father began his career in the jewelry business. In Los Angeles two more sisters and two more brothers were born. In 1952 the family left Los Angeles and moved into a brand new home in Lakewood, CA. While living in Lakewood, Irma attended Long Beach's Wilson High School and Milliken High School. She was the first homecoming queen at Milliken High School.
After graduation in 1957, Irma started working as a cashier at the Wallich's Music City store in Lakewood. Her love of music began when she listened to the radio at the home of her cousins in Tucson. At Music City she brought in singles of the popular artists of the era such as Elvis Presley, Frankie Avalon, Paul Anka and many others. Her success at the Lakewood store got her promoted to the flagship store at Sunset and Vine in Hollywood. She was the buyer of albums for all the Music City stores. Thanks to Irma, her sisters, brothers, and cousins also had jobs at Music City.
After working at Music City for almost twenty years, Irma moved to Nashville, TN., where she was involved in promoting new country stars at Fanfare, such as Reba McEntire. She temporarly left Nashville to return to Lakewood to care for her older sister, Chila.
Irma was predeceased by her parents, her sister, Evelyn (Chila), her brothers, Manuel Jr., (Santo) and George, and her loving companion, Larry Owens. She is survived by her adopted daughter, Sheree, sisters, Magdalen and Helen, her brother, Sam, and many nieces, nephews, cousins,in-laws, and friends. Funeral services will be at St.Pancratius Church, Lakewood, CA., May 18, 2017, at 9:00 am. Reception following at the Petroluem Club in Long Beach, CA. In leiu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Jude's Childern's Hospital of Memphis, TN.
Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401
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