Leona Martin
Leona Martin passed away on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at Buckingham Valley Nursing Home. She was 93. Born in Beaver Meadows, Pa., daughter of the late John and Anna (Harvilla) Garshell, she was a resident of Bristol Township for 20 years and has resided in Bensalem for over 40 years. Leona was employed as a bus driver for the Bensalem School District. She was a member of The Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court St. Mark 1097, the St. Thomas and St. Elizabeth Anne Seton Senior Citizens and the Red Hats. Leona was an avid bowler and enjoyed camping. Leona loved to cook and hosted family dinners every Sunday. She made the most delicious perogies. Leona was small in stature but had a big personality and didn't mince words or her opinion. Growing up during the depression, being the oldest of 13 and mother of 6, she was tough. Leona could do it all: sew, cook, paint, and even chopped her own wood for the fireplace. She appreciated hard work and the value of a dollar. After being expelled from High School as a teenager for dancing on the cafeteria tables imitating Ginger Rogers, she obtained her High School Diploma as an adult all while having 6 children and graduating Valedictorian of her class. Leona has taught us a lifetime of invaluable lessons. She will be dearly missed and always cherished.
Wife of the late William J. Martin, she is survived by her children, Judith Burton (David), Dennis Martin (Maryellen), Janice Abel (Rick), Timothy Martin (Mary), Cindy Veight (Jerry) and Kimberly Fani (Paul). Leona had 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings, Dorothy Hess of Hummelstown, Pa., Anna Fedor of Tamaqua, Pa., John Garshell (Nancy) of Laurel, Md., Elizabeth Padgett (Jettie) of Plant City, Fla., Joan Pinarowicz (Millard), of Nuangola, Pa., Francis Garshell (Sharon) of Hazle Village, Pa., Janet Lakitsky (Michael) of Andreas, Pa., and Kathleen Marsiglio of West Hazleton, Pa along with many nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by her infant daughter, her brothers, Paul Garshell and Thomas Garshell and her sisters, Mary Houser and Eleanor Brislin.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Funeral Mass on Saturday, October 23, 2021, 11:00am at St. Mark Church, Bristol Borough. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery. Friends may call Saturday morning 9-10:30am at the Wade Funeral Home, 1002 Radcliffe Street, Bristol Borough. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn 38105
Viewing Hours
Saturday, October 23, 2021
9:00AM-10:30AM
Wade Funeral Home
1002 Radcliffe St, Bristol, PA 19007
Funeral Mass
Saturday, October 23, 2021
11:00AM
St. Mark Church
1025 Radcliffe St, Bristol, PA 19007
Interment
Saturday, October 23, 2021
To Follow Mass
Resurrection Cemetery
5201 Hulmeville Rd, Bensalem, PA 19020