Leona Madelene Seymour died peacefully at Windsor Court in Fredericton on Monday, July 28. She was 94.

 

Born on May 7, 1920 in Devon, she was the daughter of William and Ethel (McCutcheon) Boone. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Ronald; her sister, Beulah Coombes; her brother, Royden Boone; and son-in-law Michael Shanks.

She is survived by daughters Connie (Kevin) Storr and Lynn (Stan) Billings, son Robert (Debbie) Seymour, nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Madelene was a graduate of the Saint John General Hospital School of Nursing. Following her marriage in 1946, she devoted herself to homemaking and then motherhood. Always creative, Madelene was a gifted poet and photographer who loved to record the natural beauty of flowers and landscapes. She enjoyed skating, swimming, singing, playing the piano, and reading aloud, whether to children or adults. Her children's first exposure to faith came at her knee as she read them stories from the Bible. Over the years, she did a variety of handcrafts, knit endless pairs of mittens and logged thousands of miles as her children's chauffeur. She was a wonderful cook, and joked that she wanted it on her tombstone that she made the best doughnuts ever. She had a quick wit and loved a good laugh. In her later years, nothing could animate her more than seeing a grandchild or great-grandchild.

Madelene's family will welcome visitors on Thursday, July 31, from 6:30 – 8 p.m. at Bishop's Funeral Home, 540 Woodstock Road. The funeral service will be held immediately following, with Rev. Dr. Brad Little officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.