GARDINER – Leona Blaisdell Skehan, 94, of Brunswick Avenue, died Monday, April 23, 2007, surrounded by her loved ones, after a brief illness. She was born Dec. 13, 1912, at home in Augusta, the daughter of Leon Charles and Loza Ouellette Blaisell. In June 1939, she married Charles J. Skehan and together they were blessed to share 61 years of marriage. She was a devoted wife, wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She instilled in her children a strong sense of commitment to faith and family. In recent years she was an avid reader and Red Sox fan. She thoroughly enjoyed her only trip to Fenway Park, in 2004, and being featured on NESN. Throughout her lifetime, she had a passion for the ocean and enjoyed many trips there. Although a down to earth person, she will be remembered as one classy lady. She was predeceased by her husband, Charles, in 2000. She is survived by three sons, Thomas F. of West Gardiner, John B. and his wife, Judy, of Gardiner, and Timothy C. and his wife, Deborah, of Augusta; three daughters, Deborah Cerami and her husband, Samuel J., of Springfield, Va., Martha Lessard and her husband, Joseph W. Jr., of Salem, N.H., and Rebecca Vigue and her husband, Richard E., of Bangor; 28 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. Visiting hours will be held 4-8 p.m. Thursday, April 26, at Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner. The rosary will be recited 6:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Friday, April 27, at St. Joseph Church, Gardiner. Burial will be in the family lot at St. Joseph Cemetery, Gardiner.
LEONA B. SKEHAN
