Leona Theresa Payne, 84, a beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully on Oct. 25, 2025, in Venice, Florida.
Born on Feb. 16, 1941, in Revere, Massachusetts, Leona was the third of seven children of Anne and Leo Richard of Chelsea, Massachusetts. Leona graduated from Saint Rose High School in 1958 while receiving highest honors. While attending Saint Rose she met the love of her life, Matthew J. Payne Jr. of Chelsea, and they were married on Sept. 13, 1959.
Leona was a stay-at-home mother raising their four children: Kathleen, Noreen, Matthew and Leo. When the children got older Leona rejoined the work force starting as a secretary at DAKA Food Services in Wakefiled, Massachusetts, and rose up the corporate ranks to finish her career as the Facilities and Fleet Manager.
When the children were young, Leona was active in volunteering with the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and teaching CCD at St. Athenasius. In her free time Leona was an accomplished candlepin bowler, avid golfer, passionate reader, and master Scrabble player.
Leona is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Matthew J. Payne Jr., their children and grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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