Leona Newbreight was born December 25. Her father, James Newbreight, was farmer, breeder of horses, and respected member of the community. Her mother, Catherine, managed the household and taught Leona the importance of cleanliness.
Leona was the second of five children. Her older brother taught her spelling, arithmetic and geography, and her father coached her in athletics. With their help, Leona received a vast and diverse education. By the time she started school at age 4, Leona could already spell three-syllable words. She found school to be quite easy and studied such subjects as philosophy, chemistry, and Latin. Leona's only handicap was her extreme shyness.
At 17, Leona became a teacher. She taught in several schools, before establishing her own school in North Oxford. She worked there for 15 years until the second world war started and she worked as a volunteer at the office of correspondence.
She later joined the Red Cross and worked there until she died in 1969 of unknown causes.