Obituary of Leonora S. Staiger

Lee passed away at E.W. & Lucille Cates Hospice House on February 9^th, 2024. She was the most caring, loving person that I’ve ever met. She was born on May 14, 1940, in Brooklyn, NY to her parents Henry and Irene Eckstein. As a youngster she was very shy, which started a long-standing love of books. After graduating from Bushwich High School, she spent 2 years at City College then went off to 4 years working on Wall Street at the Bank of France. In 1962 she married Bill, a NYC police officer and went on to have 3 sons Michael, Andrew, and Eric. They lived in Massapequa, Long Island for 18 years, until her husband retired. During those years she was active in many neighborhood projects. Lee ran several book clubs, became a member of the Long Island Runners Club even though she was far from being an athlete. After retiring the family started on a new adventure, they moved to Tennessee. She got a job at a small weekly newspaper and several years later she became the editor of the same newspaper. In 2000 the family was off on another adventure, this time they moved to Ocala, Fl. Where she found a group of people with many interests, most notably interests in books. She was the Founding President of the Freedom Library and remained in that capacity for over 20 years. This past July she had to discontinue the job due to illness and settled down to a quiet life. On September 8 she experienced a massive stroke which led to severe complications which in time to her demise. Admittedly this is a different obituary, but one that felt I had to write. She was not the only love of my life; she was my life. Rest in Heaven My Love and wait for me. Love Bill.

A visitation and service will take place at the Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services TimberRidge location, 9695 SW 110^th Street, Ocala, Florida on Monday, February 12, 2024 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.