Helen JoAnn Leggins, 84, Florida

Helen JoAnn Leggins, 84, known as JoAnn throughout her life, passed away Aug. 20, 2016 in Palm Bay, Fla. at her son’s house. JoAnne was born Jan. 26, 1932 to Edwin and Janet Green in Zanesville, Ohio. She was the youngest of four siblings, Marge, John “Jack” and Robert “Bob” who all passed away before her. JoAnn was a very loving, kind and generous person. Her greatest love was her three boys. Whenever we were all together, she would say, “I’ve got my three sons here.”

One of her favorite pastimes was making sure everyone got enough to eat. Everyone loved mamaleg’s cooking. She could cook up some fine dishes, one of which was lasagna. When cooking became too much for her, we went to restaurants where she would always pick up the tab, saying, “It’s my pleasure.”

When no one else was around, she had a soft spot for feeding any stray animal that came through the neighborhood, mostly cats. She was good-hearted, always supportive and encouraging. I couldn’t ask for better mother!

JoAnn met her husband, Theodore, “Ted” Leggins in Miami in the mid-1950s. He was a wonderful provider and took good care of her. They were married for 60 years. He predeceased her in 2014. After retiring, they went on a two-week cruise every year for 14 years, traveling around the world. JoAnn had many friends which included Betty and Rene Croteau, Beverly Huey and Genie Tangie. Her advice was always to, “Have fun,” and if something bothered her, she would say, “I guess I’ll worry about that tomorrow.” Everyone who knew her said, “She was always nice to me.”

JoAnn and Ted made their home in Hialeah, Fla., where they raised three boys, Paul (Miami Lakes, Fla.), Tom (Palm Bay, Fla.) and Carl “Bubba” (Libby). She leaves behind five grandchildren, Kenneth, Adam, Daniel, Holly and Joseph Leggins; three great-grandchildren, Sienna, Mason and Addison Leggins; step-grandchildren Stephanie, Casey, Ron and John; also her niece Sue Weidner and nephew Bill Robb, and many more nieces and nephews in California.

A funeral mass was held Sept. 2, 2016 at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Palm Bay, Fla. JoAnn and Ted’s ashes will be buried in Kewanee, Ill. at a later date.