Glenda Leone

July 6, 1933 - November 26, 2019

Glenda Jane (Stafford) Leone, my beautiful mother, went to a better place on the morning of November 26. I was holding her in my arms, telling her how much I loved her, when she passed. She was born on July 6, 1933 in Jewett City, CT, the daughter of Joseph Chester Stafford and Ruth (Peterson) Stafford . Following her dreams, she moved to New York City in the 1950s to pursue a career in acting. When her father became ill, she returned home to be with him; family was always most important to her. She met my father, Arthur T. Leone, and after a long courtship, they were marred. I came along a year later. In 2015, she relocated from Mystic, CT to Durham, NC to be close to me. My mother was my inspiration. She had unbounded curiosity and energy. She loved Egyptology and donated to the Abu Simbel temples of Ramesses II when they needed to be raised. She was passionate about history, from ancient Rome, to the US Civil War, to Queen Victoria. She was an artist and loved to paint urban street scenes. She loved going to flea markets, decorating for the holidays, the New York Yankees, and the ocean. Ocean Beach in New London was our favorite destination. She made every day into an adventure. She is survived by me, Sara, her heartbroken only child. She is also survived by her brothers Bobby, Peter, and Tommy. She was predeceased by her brother Chet, and also her husband and my father, Arthur. She was my world, my life, and I can't wait to see her again.