Leona M. Brackett, 91, of New Harbor, died June 28 at Cove’s Edge in Damariscotta. Born on April 18, 1922 in Milford, Mass., she was the daughter of the late Issac and Mildred (Dauphinee) Proulx.
After graduating from Franklin (MA) High School in June 1939, Leona came to work at the Pemaquid Hotel on Pemaquid Point. During that summer she met her husband to be, James Brackett of New Harbor. They were married on Dec. 10, 1941 and made their home in New Harbor. Over the years, she worked as a Certified Nurses Assistant at Miles Memorial Hospital and for Doctor Powell, Doctor Bostwick and Doctor Avantaggio.
Leona served on the Bristol School Board and the Bristol Planning Commission. She was a life member of the Order of Eastern Star serving as Worthy Matron in 1956. She was a member of VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Maine Extension Homemakers Council, and was an officer and choir member of the New Harbor United Methodist Church.
Leona loved to sing and dance, performing with the Bristol Footlighters as a member of the “Bristol Rockettes” and would often perform with Marjorie Gamage as the duo “Honey Suckle” and “Sweet Pea.” Leona and James loved to travel. In 1968 they put a camper shell in the bed of their pickup truck and traveled to the World’s Fair in Montreal. Over the next 35 years, they traveled extensively throughout the United States, Mexico and Central America. In 1993 they traded their motorhome for a winter residence in Bonita Springs, Fla.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by a sister, Marjorie Abbott; and brother, James Proulx.
In addition to her devoted husband of more than 71 years, Leona is survived by her children, Richard Brackett and wife Linda of East Bridgewater Corners, Vt., Sherrill Callahan of New Harbor, and Stephen Brackett of New Harbor; former daughter-in-law, Cynthia Brackett of Fort Myers, Fla.; sister-in-law, Elizabeth Proulx of Franklin, Mass.; grandchildren, Michael Callahan and wife Kristi of Bellingham, Mass., Jennifer Leeman and husband Martin of Bristol, Stephen Brackett and fiancée Karen Etheridge of Round Pond, Neil Prior of Jacksonville, Fla., Robert Brackett and girlfriend Amy Larson of Gilbert, Ariz., Elizabeth Whitman and husband Duke of Redmond, Wash., and John Brackett and girlfriend Sheila McLain of New Harbor; great-grandchildren, Amanda Callahan and Jeremy Cullen of Franklin, Mass.; Cody Leeman of Bristol; Mason and Dylan Brackett of Gilbert Ariz.; Anna Kathryn Brackett of New Harbor; and great-great-grandson, Jaxson James Callahan of Franklin, Mass.
Leona was known for her great love for her family, summers spent on the Pemaquid River with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and her willingness to volunteer wherever help was needed.
Relatives and friends are invited to join Leona’s family for a service to celebrate her life 11 a.m., Sat., July 6 at the New Harbor United Methodist Church. The Rev. Julia Wilson will officiate. Interment will be in the New Harbor Cemetery.
Should friends so desire, donations in Leona’s memory may be made to Bristol First Responders, 104 Southside Rd., New Harbor, ME 04554.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
