DEPAUVILLE, NY — Leona A. Wilkie, 86, Depauville, passed away Saturday afternoon, April 20, 2019, at Hospice of Jefferson County.
A celebration of her life will be held 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, at the Depauville Volunteer Fire Dept. with a service at 5 p.m. by Pastor Lisa Busby of Christ Episcopal Church, Clayton, presiding.
Arrangements are entrusted with Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Clayton.
Born May 8, 1932, in the town of Clayton, a daughter of George and Leona Danenwald Weller, she attended Clayton schools and cosmetology school in Utica.
On May 29, 1953, she married Jasper R. Wilkie at Christ Episcopal Church in Clayton.
For over 60 years, Leona was a beautician, cutting, curling and styling generations of hair from her home.
She was a member of Christ Episcopal Church, a member of its Altar Guild for 22 years, and taught Sunday School for 20 years.
Mrs. Wilkie had been a member of the Rebekah’s in Depauville and the Depauville Volunteer Fire Dept. Auxiliary.
She enjoyed spending time at the family’s cottage in Three Mile Bay.
Her gift was hospitality and the many foreign exchange students the couple hosted have kept in touch with them over the years.
Along with her husband, Jasper, Leona is survived by her four children, Dean A. Wilkie, Clayton, D. Cindy Wilkie, Copenhagen, Daniel R. Wilkie and wife Brenda, Depauville, and Decima A. Chiasson and husband Chris, Carthage; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; a sister, Evelyn Herron, NC; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was predeceased by a brother, William G. Weller, and two sisters, Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Reff and H. Pauline Giltz.
In lieu of flowers the family wishes donations in her name to the Alexandria Bay Volunteer Ambulance, 110 Walton St., Alexandria Bay, NY 13607, Hospice of Jefferson County, 1398 Gotham St., Watertown, NY 13601, or Depauville United Methodist Church, care of Clayton United Methodist Church, 324 John St., Clayton, NY 13624.
Online condolences to her family may be posted at www.cummingsfuneral.com
