Contributions to the tribute of Leona DeMaria

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The family of Leona DeMaria uploaded a photo

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

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Donna Maspero posted a condolence

Friday, October 15, 2010

I wanted to share this with those who were not able to come to the memorial service. First of all, I want to thank everyone who came to Mom's 90th birthday party last May. I truly believe it was one of the best days of her life and we are so happy we did that for her. She talked about that party all the time and could not believe she had so many friends who would go out of their way to celebrate her birthday. She was truly the "belle of the ball" that day. My children wanted me to mention how grateful they were to have had grandma out in California for 5 years. She was the "fun gammy" who would take them out for popcorn or gummy bears, ride all the giant roller coasters or take them to the race track on their days off of school. My favorite memory of Mom will always be the visits we shared over the last 25 years. Earlier on, we would sit up until all hours of the night taking about everything and anything, watch old movies and sing as many old songs we could remember. In her later years, she would go to bed a little earlier, but the movies, songs and long talks were always a part of our special bond. There was never any doubt where I would stay when I was in town and I will treasure those visits and memories of my mother forever. She was funny and quirky, always laughing and smiling with those intense blue eyes and fiercely loving and loyal to her family - just my Mom. I will miss her more than words...

J

John DeMaria posted a condolence

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

I forgot my notes at Mom`s, but this is what I might have said... Our Mom was not a serious, brooding sort of person. She always had that mischievous twinkle in her eye of a precocious teen even when she was 90 years old. I always thought of her as a reluctant adult who by some miracle became a wife, and then, by some even greater miracle became a mother. She was a child of the Great Depression, but depression never landed a glove on her. She was an odd combination of traits... She was strong and optimistic. She was lazy with almost any task and impatient to leave when you took her anywhere she didn`t want to be. She was fearless and adventurous, but would almost never try anything new to eat. She would begin making that " I don`t like this face. " when the fork was a foot from her mouth. Her fear of white creamy sauces was legendary. She loved to laugh and almost anything was fair game, but she was the biggest prude about somethings....specially sexual ones. The dress she wore at Bob and Rose`s wedding was the only time any of us can remember she ever wore a dress. She was a tomboy but there was nothing masculine about her manner. She was always absent-minded. She was a goof, but if you sought it, you could always get good counsel from her. When we lived in California, Donna, Jason, Jenny and I used to touch mom`s arm and then hold hands in a human chain and bask in the curative powers of what we called " Strength through Gammy ". Then, now, and always, all of us who ever knew her and loved her were buoyed by that strength. She was warm, and loving, and good, and that goodness radiated off her like warmth from the sun. We all loved her more than any words could ever express.

J

Jennifer Metzger posted a condolence

Monday, October 4, 2010

I was truely blessed to have had you for a grandmother and will always cherish the time we spent together. You brought such comfort & happiness to my life. I will miss you always..

In loving memory of

Leona

2010

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