Marie Michelle Leone

Marie Michelle (Petrone) Leone, born December 6, 1952 in Brooklyn, NY, died on September 13, 2024 at Transitions LifeCare in Raleigh, NC after a prolonged battle with pancreatic cancer. She was the oldest child and only daughter of Frank & Carmela Petrone.

Marie grew up in Brooklyn, NY, and moved to Deer Park, NY when she was 10 years old. She lived with her parents on Jefferson Ave. and graduated from Deer Park High School in 1971. She met the love of her life and future husband Pasquale (“Pat”) Leone, on December 19, 1970 when they were introduced by Marie’s cousin John Cerminaro who was Pat’s best friend. It was love at first sight and they dated while he served in the US Navy. They were married at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Dix Hills, NY on August 10, 1974 and had four children: Michelle, Cristina, Frances, and Joseph. Throughout her years on Long Island, she had different vocations including bookkeeper, homemaker, special education assistant teacher, retail sales associate/assistant manager, and pediatric medical office receptionist. Pat and Marie moved to Raleigh, NC in 1999 to be closer to her parents and were members at The Catholic Community of St. Francis of Assisi. While in Raleigh, she worked at Pleasant Day Preschool Center for one year before moving to The Franciscan School (TFS) when it opened in August, 2000. She was an Instructional Teacher Assistant for Kindergarten for 4 years, ran the Morning Care program, and then became the TFS Receptionist/Administrative Assistant in 2004 for 14 years until she retired. She found incredible joy in serving God and the St. Francis community during that time, including as a Eucharistic Minister. At masses, she could always be found in the last pew on the left side in the “Brooklyn Catholic” section.

As is typical in many Italian families, Marie would share her love for others in the form of a meal, and all were welcome. Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and a few other holidays were always special meals in the Leone household. She had a cardinal rule that friends were not allowed to eat at home alone, so there were often chairs being added to the table at the last minute. The food though, was just a means to an end, which was fellowship. Marie loved to be surrounded by others and to hear stories about special memories or even everyday activities. On her last day, Marie’s family gathered around her bed, sharing a meal and telling stories about so many special moments they had shared with her. It was a very fitting sendoff and one that she no doubt enjoyed immensely, even if on a level that those around her couldn’t comprehend.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents as well as several uncles, aunts, and cousins. She is survived by her husband, Pasquale (“Pat”) Leone of Raleigh, daughters Michelle Cash (Rob) of Raleigh, Cristina Gautier (Matthew) of Raleigh, Frannie Willard (Jesse) of Georgia, VT, and son Joseph (Anne-Catherine) of Wake Forest. She had the joy of being the grandmother to Andrew, Sarah, Matthew, Taylor Grace, and Emma Catherine. She is also survived by her brothers Frank Petrone (Deanna) of Deer Park, NY, Christopher Petrone (Barbara) of St. James, NY, nephews Frank Longo (Diana), Frank Petrone, nieces Lauren Ferrara (Marc), Felicia Costello (Kevin), Jessica Buckley (Steven), and Holly Detore (Anthony).

A funeral mass will be held at The Catholic Community of St. Francis of Assisi, 11401 Leesville Rd, Raleigh, NC on Monday, September 23 at 2:00pm. If you are unable to attend, you can view the service through a live stream, https://boxcast.tv/view/funeral-liturgy-for-marie-leone-wkp0wppme1v3gs0qm9ve

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN (www.stjude.org) or the Timberwolf Fund at The Franciscan School in Raleigh, NC (https://membership.faithdirect.net/givenow/NC674/35791).

The family would like to extend their sincere thanks and gratitude to the following for the incredible care that they provided to Marie throughout her journey: Dr. Alan Kritz, Catherine Anna and Marybeth at REX Hematology Oncology Associates; Dr. Rebecca Steffens and nurse Tawana from UNC Family Medicine at Blue Ridge; nurses Gabby, Christina, Elaine, and Robin, and social worker Tara Moore from Transitions LifeCare in Raleigh.

If you would like to leave a favorite memory / story of Marie, or a message of condolence for her family, you may do so below, within 'Add a Memory'.