Leona passed on August 31, 2008 after a long and courageous struggle with cancer. She is survived by her best friend and loving husband of 26 years, Matthew Fay.
She was the proud mother of Kathryn Lee Fay Aguire and her husband Tony Aguire of Maricopa, Arizona and Samantha Helen Fay of Mystic and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
She was born January 15, 1958 in Yonkers, NY, child of the late Emil Emmanuel and Helen Tuman Mikolay, who still resides in Yonkers. Since her father died at a young age, her mom raised her as a single mother (in a time when that was not so common). She is survived by her siblings, Arlys Mikolay of Peekskill, NY, Michael Mikolay and his wife Toby Hauptman of Green Valley, Arizona, and Adam Mikolay of Long Beach, NY, and multiple cousins, mostly of Westchester County, NY.
She is also survived by her in-laws, Marguerite and Richard Fay of Louisville, KY; Richard A. Fay of Louisville; Sheila and Bruce Hackett of Floyds Knobs, IN, and their children Jessica, Brian, Emily, and Jessica’s husband Tom Walker; Joe and Betsy Fay of Malvern, PA, and their children Julia and Maura ; and Maureen Fay McIlvain of Malvern, PA, her husband Brad McIlvain and Brad’s children Matt and Laura.
Leona graduated from Gorton High School of Yonkers, NY, and Cornell University in Ithaca, NY.
Leona started working at Pfizer over 20 years ago, where she developed friendships with many wonderful, compassionate, fun-loving and dedicated people. These people made going to work worthwhile even on frustrating days. Leona would especially like to thank those close friends whose compassion, laughter, care, and practical help through recent months were a great source of comfort.
Leona would also like to acknowledge the fine medical care, compassion, and friendship from her caregivers on this journey, especially the staff of the New London Cancer Center-both current and past- who have been there through 12 years of multiple episodes of breast cancer and, finally, uterine cancer.
Leona deeply loved her family, her garden, the ocean shoreline, and the color purple.
Lee was one of “the good guys”, which so endeared her to her co-workers, friends, and family. Her absence will be deeply felt.
Her family will greet relatives and friends at The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Historic downtown Mystic on Thursday from 1-3pm. An informal gathering will follow at the Dock House at Seaport Marine, Washington St., Mystic.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made toi The Mystic & Noank Library, Fitch High School Athletic Boosters (earmarked softball), or Hospice of Southeastern CT.
To share a message of remembrance/condolence with her family, please click the link below.