BROOKSVILLE – Leona Sylvester Gray, 69, passed away peacefully at her home on Feb. 15, 2017, after a courageous battle with dementia. Leona was born on Nov. 9, 1947, at Blue Hill Memorial Hospital. She was the eldest daughter of the late Paul E. and Helen H. Sylvester.
Leona grew up in South Blue Hill helping with her family’s egg business and spending cherished time with her dear grandparents Leon and Prudence Sylvester. She graduated from George Stevens Academy in 1965 and attended Northern Maine Vocational School, where she obtained her license as an LPN. She worked at Blue Hill Memorial Hospital and later as a dental assistant at a local dentist’s office. She eventually worked alongside her husband, John, as the bookkeeper for their family business.
She was married to John Hunnewell Gray on Aug. 16, 1969. Leona was a truly devoted wife and mother who made sure her three children received college degrees from the schools of their choice. At the same time, she decided to return to school herself and achieved her associate degree in library science from the University of Maine at Augusta in 2000. She served on the Brooksville School Board for three years, volunteered at the Brooksville Elementary School library, and was very active in the Brooksville United Methodist Church for many years.
With her library science degree, Leona became the head librarian at the Brooksville Free Public Library, where she enjoyed meeting and talking with all sorts of people, but she especially enjoyed working with children and sharing her love of reading with them. She was never so happy as when she was reading to the children of the community during story time, particularly when reading one of her favorite children’s books, “Miss Rumphius,” written by Barbara Cooney. Sadly, it was during this time when the early signs of dementia began to set in and she withdrew from her very active life.
Leona is survived by her devoted husband of 47 years, John H. Gray; her three children, Lydia Garrant and husband, Steve, of Mont Vernon, N.H., Gerald Gray and wife, Rebecca, of Brooksville, and Liza Saturley and husband, Galen, of Fairfield, Iowa; her six beloved grandchildren, Lily, Alex, John “Jack,” Tony, Gray, and Leo; her three sisters, Linda Sylvester of Vero Beach, Fla., Louise Holyoke and husband, Billy, of Orrington, Laverne Redding and husband, Dana, of Calais; her sister-in-law Jane Bowden and husband, Bob, of Pleasant Ridge Plantation; her many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
The family would like to thank hospice volunteers Mike and Elaine Belinsky for their years of assistance. The family would especially like to thank our special friend Carol Skoglund for the countless hours of help that enabled us to keep Leona at home during her illness
There will be a gathering to celebrate Leona’s life on March 25, 2017, at 11 a.m. at the Brooksville United Methodist Church followed by a reception at the Brooksville Townhouse.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Leona’s memory to the Brooksville United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 34, Brooksville, ME 04617, The Friendship Cottage, P.O. Box 1107, Blue Hill, ME 04614, Hancock County Home Care and Hospice, P.O. Box 655, Ellsworth, ME 04605 or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 49 Main St., Blue Hill.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.
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