Leona Lanz DeCarli

1917 - 2013

Leona Lanz DeCarli died peacefully under the watchful care of Middlesex Hospice and Liljia at her home in Chester on May 26, 2013. She was the daughter of the late Paul and Bertha Lanz and was 95 years young. Leona was the loving wife of the late Peter J. DeCarli to whom she was married for 68 years. Born in Rockville on October 7, 1917 Leona was one of 9 children and learned to be a caregiver of her younger siblings at a very young age.
Leona and Peter married and moved to Middletown with their three sons and a daughter later joined their family. Leona was very active in her children's lives earning a well-deserved tribute from the Little League auxiliary where she served as President.
In 1960 Leona opened Lee's Yarn Shop in Middletown and enjoyed many years of happiness and success in her business.
In the 1970's she and Peter moved to Chester where she worked at C.J. Bates Co for several years and later joined her husband at the Deep River Lace Co where he was part owner. They both retired in 1990.
Well into her eighties, Lee was an avid bowler; she loved wearing the glittery costumes while performing with Marie Leroy Keane as a line dancer and was a member of the Deep River seniors club. She was a much loved member of the First Congregational Church of Deep River.
Surviving are her children: Dennis DeCarli and his wife Patricia of Chester, Wayne DeCarli of Hampton, Douglas DeCarli and his wife Bonnie of East Haddam and Holly DeCarli of Chester. She also leaves 8 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
In addition she leaves 4 sisters, Eloise Webb, Florence Kloter, Charlotte Limburger and her husband Walter and Alma Luginbuhl and her husband Edward of Ellington. Two brothers, Howard Lanz and his wife Nancy of Arlington, WA and Richard Lanz and his wife Amber of Ohio. Leona was very proud of her Swiss heritage and maintained a close bond with her siblings. She was pre-deceased by a brother, Elmer and a sister, Delphine.
There will be a memorial service at the First Congregational Church of Deep River on June 15, 2013 @ 11AM. Burial will be at the Ellington Center Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Memorial donations in Leona's name may be made to Middlesex Hospice and Palliative Care, 28 Crescent Street, Middletown, CT 06457 or the First Congregational Church of Deep River, 1 Church Street, Deep River, CT 06417