Leora Dascenzo

Leora Dascenzo, age 86 of Warren, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, June 14, 2021. She was born November 4, 1934 in Canton, Ohio, daughter of the late Stefan and the late Vuka (nee: Milich) Savich.

Born in the Buckeye State, Ohio was Leora’s place of birth, but Michigan ultimately became her home. When it came time to get as job, Leora’s strengths were found in her clerical skill sets where she was blessed to gain employment with St. John Hospital on Moross in Detroit as a unit secretary. Possessing the multi-tasking talents required for such a fast-paced work environment, Leora made her work look effortless as she shined in her position. She was a gift to both her fellow staff members, as well as the many patients and their families with whom she engaged.

When Leora wasn’t working or tending to her family, you would have often found her immersed in the world of puzzle solving,…specifically the Sudoku & Crossword varieties. Each afforded her the mind exercising challenges she sought after, and the sweet release that always accompanied the solving of the puzzles. Somewhat in the same vein of gaming entertainment, Leora was also quite fond of the “Buzzer Channel,” a network devoted to the airing of game shows from yesteryear. Reaching back to the era of black & white television and pre-Vanna White, the old shows still held the same challenges, but were also a wonderful “blast from the past” from the days when TV was FREE!

Yet without a doubt, Leora’s favorite pastime was definitely spending the day shopping. Not merely a window shopper, she loved the entire experience of searching out a “steal,”…then going for the great deal. She wasn’t afraid of opening up her wallet, and did so often as she loved buying gifts for people. Leora was an extremely generous and giving person, and it showed in the many ways and many times that she loving showered others with something special. Gift giving is also reminiscent of her favorite time of year,…Christmas. Talk about gift giving,…that was the penultimate for Leora as she now had the license to buy something for everybody. She was like the family Santa Claus. And once the gifts were purchased, Christmas also afforded Leora the opportunity to give in another way,…through her amazing cooking & baking prowess. The holidays brought out the best in her, and Leora was no slouch in the kitchen, either. All she needed was a stove, an oven and some prepping space,…then just step back and watch the magic unfold as she whipped together some of the tastiest holiday dinners, meals that would have made the Galloping Gourmet salivate over.  And without question,…Leora made enough food for an army, so there were always a plethora of leftovers for all to take home.

Leora will also be fondly remembered for her sense of style and attention to detail when it came to dressing up. From the nail polish she chose to the jewelry she opted to wear, Leora was truly a fashionista, and always “Dressed-to-the-Nines.” Appearance and first impressions meant a great deal to Leora, so she always strove to be the best and look the best she could wherever she went. Of course, this was never more evident than on those precious evenings when she and Robert would frequent one of the many dance halls in the city to “Trip the Light Fantastic.” Leora loved to dance and sway to the rhythm of the music, and she never looked so comfortable as she did in the arms of her groom and dance partner, Robert. Together, they glided across the floor with the reminiscent style and grace of Ginger Rogers & Fred Astaire,…just without the same fanfare. They always looked great and had a fabulous time, so their dancing memories were a gift to themselves.

Yet of all Leora valued most in life, the blessings of her great-grandchildren reigned supreme. Not to diminish the care she held for the rest of her family, but her youngest cherubs were simply in a class all their own. There was a special innocence and purity that just naturally set them apart, and each moment in their presence was like a shot of love & adrenaline all together. They were definitely the light of her life and the wind beneath her wings.

A loving wife, mother and grandmother, Leora leaves a wonderful legacy of love to be embraced by all who were blessed to know her and be loved by her. She will be missed beyond expression and loved beyond measure.   

Leora was the beloved wife of the late Robert. Dearest mother of Sabrina Heidemann, Douglas Dascenzo, and Stacey (William “Jay”) Gill. Loving grandmother of Lauren (Kurt), Ashley (Jon), Danielle (Nick), Sabrina (Anthony), Ryan, and great-grandmother of  Alison, Paul, Sarafina, Peter, Claire, Elliot, Luke, and Julian. Cherished sister of Yvonne (Charles) Ebenhoeh, Milan (Debbie) Savich, and sister-in-law of Mary (Chris) Goralski.

Visitation for Leora will be held Wednesday, June 16th from 10 am–12:00 pm, with a 12 pm Funeral Service, at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 ½ Mile Rd) in Warren.

Her Committal Service and Entombment will follow at Cadillac Memorial Gardens East Cemetery in Clinton Township, Michigan.

Memorial donations are welcomed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38102.  (www.stjude.org)  

Please share memories of Leora at her guest book below.