Lona Josephine Jensen

East Lyme - Born in Eden, Tex., on Dec. 21, 1923, Lona Josephine (Lee) Jensen died on March 10, 2011 in her hometown of Niantic.

She was predeceased by her parents, Asa J. Lee and Lona (Davis) Lee, and her two brothers, Ben Lee and his wife, Faye, and Zack Lee and his wife, Louise, all originating in Texas.

Lona is survived by her husband, Edgar Harold Jensen of Niantic; her three children, Joan Hertel of East Greewich, R.I. and her husband, Bill, Lona Hallissy of Fuquay-Varina, N.C., and her husband, Bob, and John Jensen of East Lyme and his wife, Deborah; also her four grandchildren, Dawn Hallissy Seabolt and her husband, Rick, of North Carolina, Vicki Hallissy Fisher and her husband, Paul, of North Carolina, Alison Hertel Reuter and her husband, Michael, of Rhode Island, and Christian Davis Jensen of Connecticut; as well as six great-grandchildren; her younger brother, born in Georgia, Frank Asa Lee and his wife, Jean, of Cragford, Ala.; sister-in-law, Virginia (Jensen) Neighbors and her husband, Jack, of Virginia Beach, Va.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Lona lived in Texas until she was seven when she moved with her father, stepmother, and two older brothers to Georgia. She graduated from high school at Long Creek Academy in South Carolina. Then at the age of 19, during the height of World War II, she moved to New London where one of her older brothers was stationed. There, while working as a welder at Electric Boat, she met Ed, her husband of 66 years.

Lona and Ed enjoyed traveling, going cross-country several times picking different routes but always stopping to visit with friends who were scattered around the country. She enjoyed quilting and produced beautiful hand-made quilts for her children and grandchildren. She was a great cook; we will all miss her Thanksgiving dinners.

An active member of the Niantic Baptist Church, she served on the Diaconate and participated in many church programs. She especially enjoyed the Belles, a group of church women who, among other things, make many crafts for the annual church sale.

Lona was a loyal and trusted friend, and her family wishes to thank their family members and her closest friends for all their kind support, care, and understanding.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m on March 19, 2011, at Niantic Baptist Church with a reception to follow in the church hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Niantic Baptist Church, 443 Main St., Niantic CT 06357.