Leonora L. (Bernardi) Salani, age 91, a long-time resident of Winchester and Stuart, FL, passed away on March 6, 2025. She was the beloved wife for 63 years of the late Joseph A. Salani until his death in 2017.
Born in Somerville, Leonora was the daughter of the late Leonello and Malvina (Lamborghini) Bernardi. She was raised and educated in Medford and was a graduate of Medford High School and went on to receive her Associate's Degree in secretarial school. After marriage, she and Joe moved to Winchester where they raised their five children and ran a busy household. She then spent the majority of her career as a bank teller at several local Winchester banks after the children were grown.
A ballerina and on her toes since age 3, Leonora danced for many years with the American Ballet, the precursor to the Boston Ballet. During the war, the ballet often traveled to perform for the servicemen. She continued to dance right up until marriage. In her younger years, Leonora took cruises throughout the Mediterranean and once experienced a three-month voyage around the world with her parents.
Known for her excellent cooking skills, Leonora’s family branded her “the best cook on the planet” and remembered how, even at the finest dining establishments, her husband would declare that her cooking was better. When friends came by, Leonora would gladly accommodate them with her natural entertainment skills. In her spare time, Leonora enjoyed golfing in Massachusetts and while at their home in Stuart, Florida. As avid card players, Leonora and Joe played Bridge with the MIT and Winchester Bridge Clubs, and also at the Jenks Center in Winchester, where they made many lifelong friends.
Leonora is lovingly survived by her children: Elisa A. Spence and her husband William of Lexington, Joseph A., Jr. of Waltham, Paul L. and his late wife Susan of Billerica, Diana M. Salani of Winchester, and the late Teresa L. Michelson. She was also the loving grandmother of Jessica Disher and her husband Daniel, Adelle Mason and her husband Scott, Tiffany Michelson, Anna Silva and her husband Flaviano. She was also the great-grandmother of Juliana and Bailey Mason, Liana and Benjamin Disher, Jericho and Havilah Silva, and Nylani Reyes.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to gather for a Visiting Hour at Costello Funeral Home, 177 Washington St., Winchester, on Saturday, March 15, 2025, from 8:30-9:30AM. A Funeral Mass will be held in St. Mary’s Church, 155 Washington St., Winchester, at 10AM. Burial will follow in Wildwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Massachusetts General Hospital (Attn. Oncology Dept. in memo) c/o MGH Development Office 175 Nashua St. - Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114 or at https://giving.massgeneral.org/donate.