Marie (DeLeo) Leone, 91, of Lewiston, NY, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at DeGraff Memorial Hospital in North Tonawanda, NY. Born in Niagara Falls, NY she was the daughter of the late Dominic and Theresa (Paonessa) DeLeo. Her husband, Joseph B. Leone, predeceased her in 2012 after 63 years of marriage.


Marie was a lifelong resident of the Niagara Falls, NY area until moving to Lewiston, NY 60 years ago. She attended local schools and graduated from Niagara Falls High School in 1941. She continued her education at Kelly Business Institute in Niagara Falls and subsequently worked as the Administrative Assistant to the Personnel Director at Hooker Chemical Corp until she began raising her family in 1952. From 1952, until the present time Marie was a full time homemaker and "mom-in-chief" to her three loving daughters.

For the past 55 years, Marie and her husband, Joseph were devoted parishioners at St. Peter's Church in Lewiston, NY. She loved music, especially musicals and was the organist for many years at the former Our Lady of Lebanon Church in Niagara Falls, NY. She also loved attending opera performances alongside her husband, only to find him sleeping peacefully in the seat next to her. Marie kept a spotless house, and she and Joseph could always be found tending to their yard and garden. She prided herself on her green thumb and loved any kind of flower. The Cornell Cooperative Extension was on her telephone "speed dial." Of course, as an Italian mother and grandmother, no one left her house hungry or without a "care package." Marie also enjoyed traveling in her early years and would always share stories about her memorable trips, especially her trip to Cuba in the years "BC" or "before Castro." Above all, family was what was so important to Marie and there wasn't anything she wouldn't do for them.

Marie is survived by her three devoted daughters, Lynette Leone of Rochester, NY; Lisbeth (Stephen) Adams of Grand Island, NY and Lesley (Ira) Lapidus of Tonawanda, NY; three loving grandsons, David (Lindsey Martin) Lapidus, Zachary Adams and Daniel Lapidus; and the newest member of the family is a delightful one year old great-grandson, Joseph. Marie is also survived by an only "favorite" sister, Geraldine (late Richard) Drasch of Rochester, NY, sister-in-law Marie (late Leonard) Leone of Palatine, Il., and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

During the past few years, Marie was cared for by a group of wonderful caregivers who became like family. A special thank you to Rosemary, Amy, Vickie, Sandy, Tina, Joyce and Paula for their compassion and care in time of need.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 14th from 4 – 8 P.M. at the M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY. Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday morning, April 15th at 10:00 AM in St. Peter's Church, 620 Center Street, Lewiston, NY. EVERYONE PLEASE ASSEMBLE AT CHURCH. Interment will be held in St. Joseph Cemetery, Niagara Falls, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Scleroderma Foundation, Tri-State Chapter, 59 Front Street, Binghamton, NY 13905 or to a charity of one's choice.