Leona M. Pillsbury (‘Pill’) LaFleur, 91, chose to meet her Maker on Dec 11, leaving behind her a wake of loving kindness that will be sustained by the lives and hearts she touched during a lifetime of service. The young farm girl of seven who drove a tractor to helped her father pull stumps out of a field at their Parsonsfield homestead became an Intensive Care nurse with impeccable skills, competence and an enviable work ethic.
Her quick grasp of technological advances in medicine allowed her to bridge the gap between traditional bedside nursing and modern medicine with ease. Leona was an Army Cadet Nurse, graduating from Central Maine General Hospital School of Nursing in 1947, and continuing to be employed there until her retirement in 1990. One of her fondest accomplishments was her role in establishing the Burn Unit there, having trained at The Burn and Trauma Center in San Antonio, TX and returned to instruct her co-workers in burn care and management.
The premature death of her beloved husband Louis in 1954, left her to raise her three children, Nancy, Andrew and Mary as a single mother. She had a gift for planning and managing both short and long-term solutions to the circumstances life brought her. This she did with grace, acceptance and probably a gadget of some kind. She loved nothing more than being useful and of service. She utilized her nursing skills as a caregiver to both of her parents and her sister and brother at the end of their lives. Meals on Wheels benefitted from her volunteerism as long as her failing eyesight would allow.
She filled her life with friends, family, and opportunities for self-development. As a younger woman, ballroom dancing was a favorite pastime, and in later years she prepared herself for retirement by taking courses; ceramics, painting, knitting, quilting and woodworking. Her children and grandchildren have all been recipients of her fine handiwork. She was an excellent cook and fostered the love of good food, its preparation, and the perfect piece of equipment to complete the task. She had an interest and appreciation for all things mechanical, and was always searching for the tool or procedure to make her or someone else’s life more efficient. She loved conversations that revolved around carpentry, farming, landscaping, electronics and the internal combustion engine. She was particular about her automobiles and their maintenance and loved to drive, thinking nothing of long trips to visit friends and relatives or to spend time at museums, fairs, or concerts.
Music was always a big part of her life. She came from a musical family and played the piano and organ from a young age. In particular, she fostered the love of music in her children and grandchildren and attended as many of their concerts and performances as she could. A visit to her home always provided little children with the opportunity for playing a keyboard, harmonica or some other opportunity for expression.
Leona never travelled without a camera, and though she was legally blind for the last decade of her life, she still managed to capture on film every family event and the occasional sunset. She was partial to spending summer afternoons near the ocean, and Two Lights was a favorite spot for rest and relaxation throughout her lifetime.
As a friend, she cherished the connections and relationships she formed in her many avenues of interest. If you made her acquaintance, she never forgot you or the details of your life. She was truly interested in every detail, and a visit with her left one feeling seen, heard and uplifted. She only saw the good in others; her strength of character allowed no room for anything but tolerance and respect. Though by her own admission not a religious person, she was a practicing Catholic and a person of deep faith in the innate goodness of Creation.
A devoted Scrabble fan, Leona would never miss an opportunity to play, and may hold the title for the highest–scoring legally blind player on record. With the right lighting and some special tiles, she was able to play until her last days; and usually won. An avid reader, she particularly had an interest in history, historical fiction, and science.
The world will be a different place for the large and loving family she leaves behind, as the model for patience, steadfastness and integrity creates a large void for children Nancy Frederick and husband Peter of Gray, ME, son Andrew LaFleur and spouse Debbie of Marlborough, MA, and daughter Mary Wolfe and spouse Brian Fogg of Brewer, to fill. They’ll be empowered by grandchildren Kurt Wolfe and spouse Vanessa of Bangor, Aaron Frederick and spouse Emilia Dahlin of Gorham, ME, Brooke Fogg-Wolfe of Brewer, Ben Barrell of Yardley,PA, Adam Frederick and spouse Katherine Matzell of Portland, Jane Frederick of Portland, Caitlin Hoey of Malden, MA, Andrew Frederick and spouse Elisabeth Frederick of Owls Head, and Casey Randall and spouse Brendan of Holden, MA. The older great grandchildren Gabe Bonville and Etta and Delilah Frederick of South Portland, Lexi Leona Barrell of Yardley, PA, Gideon Thomas of Portland, and Zaria Rolnick of Brewer, have the responsibility of passing on memories and anecdotes to Attean Dahlin of Gorham, and Annika and Hilde Frederick of Owls Head. Her dear brother, Wayne Pillsbury is holding the candle high for her from The Maine Veteran’s home in Scarborough. Her numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends will miss her smile, her heartfelt laugh and the ready twinkle in those knowing eyes.
Leona, it’s time for change of shift, report has been given, and you are free to go. The thing that’s going to take the longest is meeting the thousands of people that you have cared for and about, and who want to thank you for a simple word, touch, or moment of caring when they needed it most. Many people look for ways in which they can be of use or do some good, but your life has been all about this, always. You have filled a complete lifetime with it.
The family requests that anyone who wishes to remember Leona make a donation to the hospice of their choosing.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home