Leona C. Wilkinson's Obituary
Leona (Lee) Cone Wilkinson, age 93 of Fort Myers, Florida, passed away on Thursday, May 6, 2021 at Hospice House in Fort Myers, Florida. She was born February 14, 1928 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts to the late Leo M. and Clara F. Cone. On July 4, 1951, she married William (Bill) Hadley Wilkinson who preceded her in death on January 19, 2018.
A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, Lee is survived by her three sons, Fred (Darla) Wilkinson of Mendham, New Jersey, Andrew Wilkinson of Atlanta, Georgia, and Charlie (Robyn) Wilkinson of Lexington, Kentucky. She was predeceased by her daughter, Mary Lee (Wilkinson) Ingersoll, her son, William Wilkinson, and her husband Bill. She is also survived by three granddaughters: Allison Wilkinson, Kelsey Wilkinson, and Rachel Wilkinson. She will be dearly missed.
Lee was a 1946 graduate of Pittsfield High School and in 1952, earned her B.A. degree in Home Economics at Russell Sage College in Troy, New York. After graduation, Lee worked at a local bank and served as a substitute teacher. During her time in Troy, she met and married Bill, a graduate and Associate Professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
In 1956, Lee, Bill and their family relocated to Columbus, Ohio, where they raised their five children. Prior to becoming Florida residents, they split their time between Columbus and Ft. Myers. Lee organized and taught a water aerobics class with friends, contributed to a community newsletter and taught English as a volunteer with a local literacy program in the Fort, Myers area. In 2016, Lee and Bill retired to Fort Myers, Florida full time. In Columbus, they were members of Grace Brethren Church and in Ft. Myers were members of Westminster Presbyterian Church; over the years were leaders in several bible studies.
Throughout her life, Lee enjoyed teaching, cooking, reading, traveling, and spending time with friends old and new. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, May 14, 2021 at the Village Church at Shell Point in Fort Myers, Florida. In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made to Hospice House or Shell Point, both in Fort Myers, Florida. Friends are encouraged to share a memory of Lee and/or personal condolences to the family at www.fortmyersmemorial.com
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