Leona Evelyn Rue Luckhardt

Leona Evelyn Rue Luckhardt

Stuart, FL

1919-2015



Leona Evelyn Rue Luckhardt, 96, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 12, 2015. She was born in 1919, the youngest of the two daughters of Charles H. and Lois E. Rue. As a young child Leona (Nonie) lived in Michigan, but by age 5, she and family had moved to Stuart where Charles and his father, Henry Rue, had purchased a confectionery shop on Flagler Avenue (Rue's Sweet Shop).

Leona was a lifelong resident of Martin County. One of her treasured memories was of participating with classmates in the 1926 parade celebrating the formation of the county. Her church affiliation was first with All Saints Church in Waveland and then with St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Stuart, where she was a member of its first junior choir in the early '30s.

She graduated from Stuart High School in 1939 and worked as a nurse's aide at the newly opened Martin County Hospital. During WWII Leona was a civilian volunteer for the Aircraft Warning Service, as an observer for enemy aircraft, ships and submarines from a watch tower on Jupiter Island, her residence at that time.

By 1948, Leona had moved to the Casa Terrace subdivision in Stuart, where she raised her children and lived for the remaining 67 years of her life.

She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Unity Chapter #37 and participated in The Woman's Club of Stuart and also The Garden Club. As a young adult she worked at the Lyric Theatre, Martin County Hospital, Johnson's Dime Store, St. Onge's Grocery and the Firestone Store. In later years she was manager of the Mayfair Theatre and an index clerk at the court house until her retirement in 1985.

Leona was devoted to her parents and was a caring, much beloved mother to her own three children, Grant, Greg and Elisa. She was regarded as a 'second' mom by many of her children's friends as well as those who lived in her neighborhood, often playing with or joining in the youngsters' games. In the late '50s she was involved with the school Band Boosters Club.

Leona had countless friends in the community and in earlier years knew most everyone in town. In the late 1980s she organized a Reunion Cruise for classmates and alumni of Stuart High. Being an animal lover since childhood she had owned many pets, most recently a poodle named Shadow, a constant companion. Leona had a deep affection for music and could remember the entire tune and lyrics of hundreds of songs. She also had an innate artistic sense and received a degree in Interior Design.

As a lifetime hobby she especially liked scrapbooking and saved photos, documents, memorabilia and other keepsakes through the years, much of which is related to Stuart's history. Leona was a member of Stuart Heritage Museum and retained a wealth of information about the early community and its citizens. She was a guest speaker at museum programs and also recounted stories of life in Martin County for the "Floridays" series radio broadcast.

She is dearly missed by her loving family. Leona was predeceased by her sister, Leila Rue Komara. She is survived by her children: Dr. C. Grant Luckhardt (Arabelle) of Santa Fe, N. M., Greg E. Luckhardt (Alice) and Elisa Austin (Jerry) of Stuart, one granddaughter, Cassandra L. Luckhardt (Marco Spinello) of Amsterdam, The Netherlands and one grandson, Brian Austin (Bridget) of Port St. Lucie.

Inurnment will be held at a later date at a private family ceremony in Fernhill Cemetery, Stuart. Anyone who wishes can make contributions in Leona's name to Stuart Heritage Museum, 161 SW Flagler Avenue, Stuart, FL, 34994.