Leona Rosalind Smith Sherman

Leona Sherman, born on December 1, 1917, died on August 10, 2017. She was the daughter of Sarah (Finkel) and Joseph Smith. Her husband, Dr. Bernard Sherman, and her brother, Morton Smith, pre-deceased her. She lived most of her life in Providence. Leona leaves her daughter, Elanah Sherman, of Norwich, Connecticut; her granddaughter, Baylah Tessier-Sherman, and grandson-in-law, Bryan Hooper, of Hartford; her nieces Susan Levin and Ada Winsten; and her nephew, Mark Sherman, and his wife, Jane. She also leaves her dear and loving friend, Maria Disenna, of Pawtucket. After graduating as an Education and English major from Rhode Island College in 1938, Leona taught English at the high school level and embarked on a ten-year career as a big band singer in Providence. She was a vocalist with the WPRO radio band, as well as with the Ed Drew Orchestra. During the years of World War II, she often gave enthusiastically reviewed concerts in the Temple of Music at Roger Williams Park. Her performing biography and crystalline voice, preserved on recordings, were featured in the 2015- 2016 exhibit, “The Birth of Rhode Island Radio: Experimenters, Manufacturers, and Broadcasters,” at the Museum of Work and Culture in Woonsocket. For many years, Leona and Elanah would conduct their own telephonic song jamborees, singing to and with one another. During her marriage, Leona did not work outside the home. Following the death of her husband, however, she commenced a long career as an administrative assistant at Jewish Federation of Rhode Island and Jewish Family Service of Rhode Island. She was a member of Hadassah and, in her later years, Corresponding Secretary of the National Council of Jewish Women (local chapter). Although dementia claimed many of her faculties and skills, she remained an expert grammarian, a former teacher eager to correct the grammatical errors of those she knew well (and those she barely knew at all)! During her years as a client at the Ross Adult Day Center in Norwich, she was the most fervent hand raiser during group quiz games, displaying her wide range of knowledge in literature and music. Elanah would like to thank the many people who helped enable Leona’s independence. (Leona lived in a nursing home only during her last days.) Elanah also thanks Leona’s good local friends, Sylvia Denhoff and Signe Entwistle, and niece, Ada Winsten, who maintained their close relationships with Leona even as she became increasingly fragile. In addition, Elanah acknowledges Steve Colangelo, with whom Leona enjoyed much witty (sometimes ribald!) conversation late in her life. The staffs at Backus Hospital (Norwich) and Harrington Court (Colchester, CT) provided skillful and compassionate care as Leona’s body failed. A graveside funeral service will be held on Sunday, August 13, 2017 at 2:00 PM in Lincoln Park Cemetery, 1469 Post Road, Warwick, Rhode Island. A luncheon/tea will follow. Those interested in making a contribution in Leona’s memory are encouraged to support the Ross Adult Day Center, c/o United Community and Family Services, 77 East Town Street, Norwich, CT 06360.