Dateline- Skowhegan Leona Lapointe, 78, of Skowhegan, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her loving family in Skowhegan, Maine, Thursday, October 26, 2017. She was born January 25, 1939 in Athens, Maine, the daughter of Vernon H. Perkins and Leora (McKenney) Perkins. Leona was the youngest of their six children. She spent her childhood living in the family home in Canaan until she met and married her sweetheart Arthur. She was a graduate of Skowhegan High School class of 1957. Leona and Arthur were married July 27, 1957 in Skowhegan, Maine and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this summer. Their love story is an amazing example for their family. They spent their first few years living in Alaska and Virginia while Arthur served in the Air Force but made Skowhegan their home where they raised their children, Becky and David. She worked outside the home for many years and truly enjoyed her time as a receptionist/manager for Peoples Salon & Spa, owned by her nephew Billy. It was there that she made many lifelong friends. Her favorite "job" of all was caring for and spoiling her 7 grandchildren while their moms and dads worked. Leona was up for doing anything at a moment's notice. In their younger years they loved to go dancing with their brothers and sisters. It was not unusual for the gang to go back to the house hungry. Becky and David would awaken to the smell of bacon and eggs and lots of laughter around midnight. She loved country music and to travel. One of the most memorable trips they shared was driving to Nashville to the Grand Ole Opry. Her sisters were her best friends and even though they were busy raising families and working they always made time for each other. Leona also loved her sister's in law as though they were her "real" sisters. Leona enjoyed many things. She was an excellent seamstress, avid reader, loved puzzles, her flower gardens and playing cards. She had her girls; Linda S., Linda R., Lorraine, Joanne, Shirley and Calla that came over every week for their card game. She enjoyed cooking big family dinners. Her cinnamon rolls would melt in your mouth, her Rum Cake was a favorite, and she made the best New York Cheesecake hands down! More than anything else, Leona treasured spending family time with her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved us so very dearly and we knew it. Besides her husband Arthur of 60 years of Skowhegan, she leaves her 2 children, Becky Tibbetts and her husband Wayne of Cornville and David Lapointe and his wife Kelly of Fairfield; two sisters, Patricia Ames and her husband Stanley of Canaan, Jeanette Emery and her husband Clyde of Hartland; seven grandchildren, Jason and wife Michele, Jenn and husband Tenney, Dustin, Joe and wife Jenna, Michelle and husband Paul, Justine and husband Adam, Jared and wife Jocelyn; nine great-grandchildren, Josh, Haley, Kobe, Riley, Kalli, Sophie, Conner, Aleeha, and Kendall; brothers and sisters-in-laws, Bob and Gerry Lapointe, Francis and Shirley Lapointe, Paul and Phyllis Lapointe, Anita and Norman Lancaster, George and Ruth Lapointe, and Joan Perkins. As well as, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and long-time friend Dana Hamilton. Leona was predeceased by her parents Vernon and Leora, sisters Hilda and Carolyn and brother Glen, and her father and mother in law Joe and Edna Lapointe. Special thanks to Wendy Dicranian, Hospice and Jenna Lapointe for their tender care. A celebration of life will be held on Sunday November 5, 2017 from 2 – 5 p.m. at Becky and Wayne’s house at 144 Huff Rd., Cornville, Maine. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan, Maine.