Leona Savoie

She loved God and attended St. John’s Episcopal Church in Essex, where she enjoyed programs, lessons, and especially the Sunrise Easter and Christmas Eve services. She volunteered as the “Christmas Table Chair” at the Rummage Sale for over 50 years.

Leona graduated from Middletown High School with Honors, where she was an editor of the yearbook and a feature editor of Tiger Tales, the school newspaper. She was captain of the Rifle Team. After high school she attended Hartford Hospital School of Nursing.

Leona became an advocate for autistic children and adults, and spoke before the state legislature on their behalf. She helped to start and was a charter member of Opportunity House, a group home for autistic adults, and was a lifetime supporter, as her beloved son James continues to reside there. Leona was the long time President of the Valley Homemakers and a member of the Ivoryton Village Gardeners. She also felt that being a blood donor was important, and donated as often as she could. Leona was proud that she was a Middlesex Hospital Hospice volunteer for over 20 years providing care, compassion, and comfort.

She married the love of her youth, James Steadman, and had three children James, Daniel, and Deborah, who were the jewels in her crown. She was widowed in 1972, then was blessed to find the love of her later years, Capt. Francoie A. Savoie, who became a wonderful father to her children. They were married for 37 years. Leona had a quiet strength that was just part of her nature. She had a strong constitution both physically and emotionally. She was adaptive and capable in the face of challenges, and she was able to endure hardships with perseverance, patience, and grace. She was a fiercely protective and supportive mother.

Leona was predeceased by Gladys and Howard Hopper who gave her a forever family. She was also predeceased by the parents that gave her life, siblings, nieces and nephews. Also predeceasing her were brothers and sisters, and her special brother and sister in law August and Colleen Vitkus, whom despite meeting later in life, were treasured members of her family.

Leona is survived by her beloved children, James Savoie, Chief Daniel (Colleen) Savoie, and Deborah (Matthew) DeMaio, Grandchildren Nicole (Paul) St. Jean, Rachael Savoie, and Rebecca DeMaio, and great grandchildren Daniel, Waylon, and Jacqueline St. Jean. Her cherished family was her greatest blessing and joy. She is also survived by her best friend of over 60 years, Pauline Veillette, who was the sister God sent to her, and by Sheila Fox and MaryLou Cucinotta, her dear friends and “neighborhood watch” team, special nieces Kathy Gudauskas, Pamela Hovland, and Tammy Ann Waterman, and her loyal companion, her cat Iris.

Leona will be remembered for her endless toiling in her garden, her kindness, compassion, and generosity. She truly saw the good in everyone. As she grew wiser with age, she showed a newer confidence. She surrounded herself in a no judgement zone and found joy in the simple things in life, especially watching true crime documentaries, reading, enjoying sitting on her porch, and watching birds and hummingbirds at their feeders. She lived with gratitude, and often said that her biggest accomplishment was raising children that loved each other. Leona’s legacy is her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren who will carry on and hold her memory and wisdom close, and follow in her footsteps of generosity, grace, resilience, patience, and love. In her last days she cautioned family to not become jaded by the negativity in the world, and advised “Don’t become mean minded when those around you are”. Words to remember and live by, indeed.

The family wishes to thank the care staff at Essex Meadows and Middlesex Hospice for their compassion and kindness. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Opportunity House, Inc., 320 Old Hill Road, Hamden, Connecticut.

A Funeral Service will be held on Sunday July 12, 2026, at 1:00 pm to at St John's Episcopal Church, 3 Cross St, Essex, CT 06426.

Burial will be private.