Leona Mae CARPENTER

Leona C. Marseilles passed from this life, surrounded by her family on December 28, 2005 at the age of 91. She is survived by her children; Cathy Tucker, Joseph Marseilles (Sherrie), and Janice Marsiglia (Joey Manfre); 7 grandchildren, Art, Kim, Makel, Marcie, Crystal, Shelly and Michelle; 12 great grandchildren and her dear friends Margaret Damato and Mary Ward. Born Leona Mae Carpenter in Willimantic, CT, she went on to lead a very full and interesting life. After graduating from Joseph Lawrence nursing school, in New London, CT. Leona worked for the VA in Ohio, where one of her patients was the famed aviator Orville Wright. She enlisted in the army obtaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant, and spent the duration of WW II as a member of the 10th Station Hospital Unit in Ireland and England, where she tended to the wounded from the D-Day Invasion. Leona married Charles L. Marseilles in 1946 and set up housekeeping in Mystic CT. Leona and her family moved to Jacksonville in 1952 where she continued her nursing career, eventually retiring as a shift supervisor from Baptist Hospital. Leona remained very busy after retirement with volunteer work, traveling and spending time with her friends and neighbors, who lovingly called her "Doc". Leona was particularly proud of her military service and in 1994 traveled to Europe with her daughter Cathy, to participate in the observance of the 50th anniversary of D-Day. She also attended numerous annual reunions of the 10th Station Hospital Unit. A lifelong member of the Elkettes, Leona served as president and was once named "Elkette of the Year". She also conducted medical screening on children for the Florida Elks Harry-Anna Hospital. Leona and her husband Charlie were Founding members of Christ the King Catholic Church and she remained involved in church activities until her health declined. Leona and Charlie loved traveling to Northern California for extended visits with their daughter Janice, and after Charlie passed she continued this annual trek until 2000. She was lovingly cared for by her son Joseph and his wife Sherri, for several years until she moved to Tandem Health Care Southpoint. Her final days were spent at St. Lukes Hospital. The family would like to thank the staff at Tandem Health Care and the fifth floor staff at St. Lukes Hospital for the loving care given to their mother. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be sent in her memory to the Harry-Anna Trust Fund c/o the Florida State Elks Assn, PO Box 49, Umatilla, FL 32784. Visitation will be 4-6 pm on Monday, Jan 2, 2006 immediately followed by the recitation of the Rosary, at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home located at 6940 Atlantic Blvd. The funeral will be held at 10 am on Tuesday, Jan 3, 2005 at Christ the King Catholic Church with internment immediately following at Arlington Park Cemetery. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com Published in the Florida Times-Union on 12/31/2005.