Leona H. Smith

Leona H. Smith passed away on 7/2/2025 at Plattsburgh Nursing and Rehab. Leona was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut on July 3, 1940 the daughter of Gilbert W. Meserole, SR. and Evelyn A. (Russel) Meserole. She grew u[ in Watertown, Connecticut . Graduating from Watertown High School in 1958.

Shortly after graduating Leona entered the sisters of Charity of St. Louis and attended the college of St. Rose and PSUC. She taught in various parochial schools in Connecticut and the North Country of NY.

After 10 years in the religious life, she married Felix J. Siskavich in 1971 and together they raise their two daughters and Leona's four stepchildren in Saranac, NY.

After years of teaching , she worked as a legal secretary in Plattsburgh, retiring in 2002. Over the years she served as secretary of the Board of Commissioners of the Saranac Fire Department District. She was a member of the Fire Department's Auxiliary and volunteered for Hospice of the North Country. She enjoyed Knitting, quilting and spending time at the casino. She was also an avid Red Sox Fan.

Felix, her husband of 26 years died in 1997 and Leona met Warren A. Smith of Redford, NY.

She is survived by her husband Warren Smith: 2 children and their spouses, Lynn Merrick (Brian) of Dawson Creel, BC and Shelly Roberts (Tim) of Myrtle Beach, SC ; eight stepchildren, Scott Siskavich (Christine) of Saranac, NY, Tami Smart of Saranac, NY, Lisa Powell of Miami, FL, Tonya Wood (Nicholas) of Saranac, NY, Michael Smith (Marilyn) of Plattsburgh, NY, Randy Smith (Brenda) of Colchester, VT, Keith Smith (Lisa) of Redford, NY and Kevin Smith (Betsy) of Plattsburgh, NY. Several grandchildren and great grandchildren; a sister Barbara (Jesse) Rankin of PA, stepbrother Gilbert Meserole, Jr. (Marie) of CT. Stepsisters, Pamela Catalina of CT; brothers in-law, Frances Siskavich , William Siskavich (Patricia) of Saranac, NY, Robert Siskavich of Lyon Mountain, NY, Joseph Siskavich and Edward Siskavich , George (Patricia) Smith of LI, NY, Walter (Laurie) Smith of LI, NY, Eddie (Pamela) Smith of LI, NY, William (Kitty) Smith of Staten Island, NY, Louis Smith of NF and Charles Smith of Florida; sisters in -law, Helen Junelli of LI, NY , Ruth (Harry) Crawford of Staten Island, NY, Mathilda Rocca of Staten Island, NY, Carol Mulhearn of NJ, Catherine Irwin of NJ, Violet of NJ, Grace (Robert) Capaldo of NJ and several nieces and nephews.

Leona is predeceased by her parents and stepmother Mary (Duska) Meserole, husband, Felix Siskavich , bother in-law Bernard (Subby) Siskavich and Paul Strongi, sisters in-law, Sally Siskavich and Dorothy Strongi, and son in-law, Donald Smart, sister Roberta Irizarry, Brothers in-law, Frances Siskavich Joseph Siskavich and Edward Siskavich, William Smith, Grace Capaldo.

At Leona's request there will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Church of the Assumption in Redford, NY on July 10, 1025

at 12:00 p.m. followed by a burial in Assumption Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the North Country, Tom Miller Road, Plattsburgh, NY 12901 or Saranac Fire Department, 3277 RT 3, Saranac, NY 12981.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad St., Plattsburgh, NY 12901