Leona V. Burton

Leona V. Burton, age 96, of Lebanon Borough, NJ passed away on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at the Hunterdon Medical Center in Raritan Twp., NJ.

She was born on August 21, 1923 in Cleveland, OH to first generation immigrants.   She was the daughter of the late Jacob and Shamia Debash Mady.  

Her husband, Paul J. Burton, passed away in 1993.

She learned very early about love of country, dedication to family, kindness to others and the importance of making your best effort in any endeavor.   In high school, she was number one in her class.  During the depression years she helped support the family after high school instead of pursuing college.  She was successful at an early age in business.   After marrying her husband Paul,  she moved with him to New Jersey to assist him in starting his own business.  Although the business was small, it was a success and supported her family, which grew to four boys.  The family moved from Edison, NJ to Lebanon Borough in 1958.  Leona, as in all things she pursued, adapted to the rural environment of Lebanon as if she was borne there.  

Leona has been distinguished as the most senior resident of Lebanon Borough and also for being the first woman to hold various positions in the Borough.  She was the first woman Lebanon Borough Clerk, serving the borough from 1970 to 1993.  She was also the first Councilwoman in Lebanon Borough as well as the first woman member of the Lebanon Borough Sewage Authority.  Leona was also Past-Secretary to many organizations in town including the Planning Board, Sewer Authority and Board of Health.  She was also Past-President of the Hunterdon County Clerks Association. 

Memberships include the Lebanon Senior Club and Round Valley United Methodist Church.  Leona also enjoyed volunteering with the Lebanon Borough School where she read to first graders.  

​Leona was a humble but confident Mother, Daughter,  Aunt,  Grandmother, Great Grandmother and Friend.  She loved her family, friends, town and people in general.  It was not unusual to see people much younger than Leona visit in her home after she retired.  People loved to be around Leona because she made it clear they were welcome, respected and wanted.  

​Leona was very proud of her four boys who learned many important life lessons from her and their Dad.   The respect and love Leona and Paul conveyed to each other taught each son how to do the same in their marriages.  In a house full of Males, Leona taught the boys the need to empathize, listen and respect a mother and wife’s prerogatives.  

Survivors include four sons; Paul and his wife Bonnie of Mt. Pleasant, SC, James and his wife Michelle of Gardners, PA, Hal and his wife Betsy of Mt. Pleasant, SC and Richard and his wife Christine of Lebanon, NJ.  Eight grandchildren; Josh Burton and his wife Cecile, Lindsey Bennett and her husband Amos, Megan Consedine and her husband Kevin, Mark Burton and his husband Cornell, Noah Burton, Leah LeGreca and her husband E.J., Adam Burton, Olivia Burton and Adriana Burton.  Six great-grandchildren; Kayla, Callen, Colton, Jackson, James and Layla.  

Predeceased in addition to her husband by four siblings; Hal Mady, Velma Meli, Lucille Razek and Vivian Sanson.

Leona will be greatly missed by all who knew her.   However, all can take comfort in the wonderful memories and knowledge that Leona felt it was time to join the Love of her life, Paul.  

Calling hours will take place on Friday, March 13, 2020 from 2-4pm and 7-9pm at Scarponi-Bright Funeral Home, 26 Main Street, Lebanon, NJ.  Funeral service will be Saturday, March 14, 2020 at 11am at Round Valley United Methodist Church in Lebanon, NJ. Interment at Union Cemetery in Lebanon, NJ.

Memorials can be made to Hunterdon Hospice, 215 Route 31 South, Flemington, NJ 08822 or the Hunterdon Health Care Foundation, 9100 Wescott Drive, Suite 202, Flemington, NJ 08822, Memo: Cardiac Foundation/Leona Burton.  

The family asks that in light of recent health concerns, anyone feeling under the weather please refrain from attending the visitation/funeral.  

Leona’s viewing and funeral will be broadcasted live and can be viewed by clicking on the following links:

Viewing on Friday March 13 from 2-4pm, please click here - https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/43845855

Viewing time on Friday March 13 from 7-9pm, please click here - https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/35347670

Funeral Service on Saturday at 11am, please click here - https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/99027733

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