Leona committed suicide. She was teased by the kids that Della always got new school clothes and Leona never had anything new. First day of school came and Della got new clothes, she didn't. She went into the house, got a gun and shot herself.
Committed suicide when twelve years of age -- because she thought she was not as good as her older sister. Sister got all the pretty new clothes and she only got the hand me downs. She felt her parents were partial to her older sister.

died at age 13