LEONE GWENDOLYN HOLMES

Leone Gwendolyn Holmes was born January 23, 1953, in Akron, Ohio. The only child of Henry and Corlatta Holmes, she was nurtured in a loving and caring home. Accepting Christ at an early age, she was baptized at The Historic St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Cleveland, Ohio.

In 1983, because of developmental disabilities, Leone became a part of the Welcome House Community, where she embraced independence and lived a wonderful life. Possessed with an affable personality, she never complained; consequently, she garnered a strong circle of friends; they included: Mariana, Donald, Eric, Charlotte, Pat M; Pat B, and Stan, who was the love of her life.

For over thirty years, Leone worked at Home Depot until her recent retirement. On her days off, she enjoyed work at the Age Line Activity Center. One of the staff members, there, noted that Leone was "known for the God given gift of sharing and encouraging others.

A long-time active member of the People in Action self-advocacy group, Leone stood up for herself and others; subsequently, she was a speaker at a Self-Determination conference in Columbus, Ohio. A seasoned traveler, Leone enjoyed many vacations with her friends. Recently, she said that her "favorite trip was to Hawaii". An avid fan of the Cleveland Guardians, she also enjoyed swimming and bowling. A lover of dancing and Motown music, she and the staff of Welcome House listened to her favorite music in the hospital. Following her last breath, the very next song on the play list was "I'll Be There" by The Jackson 5.

Leone was a beautiful person inside and out. She moved with a quiet grace and she will be missed by family, friends, staff members and others who were fortunate to have known her. She leaves to mourn the following family members: Sondra Leone Scipio Jones; Elvin R. Jones; Beverly R. Jones; and Reverend Beverly Y. Scipio.

Funeral service Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 3:30 P.M. FRIENDS RECEIVED AT THE BERRY-McGREEVEY-MARTENS FUNERAL HOME, 26691 DETROIT RD. WESTLAKE, OH 44145 at 2:30 P.M. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2026.

www.BerryMcGreevey.com

Berry-McGreevey Funeral Home and Cremation Service
26691 Detroit Road, Westlake, OH 44145
440-617-1911