Obituary: Leona E. Farrant, 104

Leona E. Farrant, 104, of Wakefield, formerly of Richmond Hill (Queens), N.Y. died peacefully in her sleep on January 13, 2016 at Scallop Shell Nursing Home. Born June 15, 1911 in Queens, N.Y. to parents George E. and Leona M. Johnson.

As a young woman, Leona grew up playing the violin and went on to pursue her love of music earning degrees in Orchestration from New York University. While studying at NYU, she met and married her oboe teacher Stefan Pecha. Their music careers allowed them to enjoy traveling together on the orchestra train playing at such venues as Chautauqua, Cleveland and Cincinnati. After the early death of her husband, Leona went on to earn a Master’s degree in Early Education and taught kindergarten at Queens P.S. 90 for 20 years. After retiring from teaching in 1975, she moved to Wakefield to be closer to family and friends.

She was an active member of the Church of the Holy Spirit in Charlestown. She loved to be involved with clubs and activities including playing bridge and teaching it to others at the Charlestown Senior Center. She was also a gifted artist, painting in oils and acrylics, crafting silver jewelry and hooking oriental rugs. She enjoyed traveling extensively with the seniors and her close friends.

She is survived by her daughter, Leona Elaine Stedman and her husband Allen Stedman of Wakefield, additionally granddaughters, Leigh E. Stedman, and Lori A. Stedman and great-grandson Nathaniel A. Hopkins. Private services will be held at a later date.

Our sincere thanks to her warm and loving caregivers at the Scallop Shell Nursing Home and Beacon Hospice. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Activities Fund, Scallop Shell Nursing Home, 981 Kingstown Rd, Wakefield, RI 02879.