Anita Leone

Anita (Richard) Leone, 87, of Rocky Hill and formerly of West Palm Beach, FL and East Hartford, loving wife for over 65 years of Sam Leone, was peacefully reunited with her beloved daughter, Suzanne, on Thursday, June 25, 2026 surrounded by her loving family. Born in Hartford on September 2, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Hector and Denise (Caron) Richard. Anita was a graduate of Hartford High School, class of 1956 and was awarded a full scholarship and subsequently graduated in 1960 from Hartford Hospital School of Nursing. Nursing was a calling for her; she served as an RN at several area continuing care communities for many years and taught at the Hartford Hospital School of Nursing. She later owned and operated Caring Nurses, a nurse staffing service, with her business partner and best friend, Nancy Bracken. She enjoyed knitting and made blankets for all her grandchildren. She was an avid reader and loved cooking, going to the theater, walking and traveling with Sam, family and friends, playing golf and watching golf, the Boston Red Sox and the UConn women’s basketball team. Most of all, Anita was a caring, helpful woman who was a nurse to all. She cherished her family, especially her grandchildren and she loved cheering for and supporting them in all their activities. Anita epitomized selfless and unconditional love.

In addition to her devoted husband Sam, Anita will be forever missed by her children, Lisa Pizzoferrato and husband Rudy of Avon and Richard Leone of East Hampton and her four adored grandchildren, Andrew Pizzoferrato of New York City, Taylor Abrahamsen and husband Jakob of Hartland, Jenna Basil and husband Josh of Marlborough and Jamie Leone of East Hampton. She is also survived by her brother, Donald Richard and wife Suzanne of Williamsport, PA; her sister, Lorraine Rubinow of Wethersfield; her sister-in-law, Diane Clark of Palm Coast, FL; her best friend and former business partner, Nancy Bracken of St. John, IN and many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. In addition to her parents and daughter, Anita was predeceased by two brothers, Robert and Normand Richard; her sister, MaryAnn Guerrini; her sisters-in-law, Patricia Metcalf and Wendy Richard and her brothers-in-law, Robert Metcalf and Edward Clark.

Anita’s family would like to thank Dr. Michael DeShaies for the many years of excellent care and compassion, Hartford Home and Hospice Health Care and Nutmeg Home Assistance.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 4th at 11:00 a.m. at St. James Church of St. Josephine Bakhita Parish, 767 Elm Street, Rocky Hill. Everyone is asked to please meet directly at church. Burial will be private. The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday, August 3rd from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield. In lieu of flowers, donations in Anita’s memory may be made to: East Hartford Alumni Association and Education Foundation, P.O. Box 380803, East Hartford, CT 06138-0803. Scholarships will be awarded to East Hartford Public School students who pursue a career in Nursing or Teaching. To share a memory of Anita, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com