Obituary for Leonora L. Bartlett
Leonora L Bartlett of Maitland, FL, died after a sudden illness on January 12, 2023, at the age of 84, surrounded by family.
Leonora was born in Peoria, Illinois and was affectionately known as Nora, Norie, ElNora, and many other names by the people who loved her. Although born in Peoria, one small town could not contain her, and she traveled across the country with her first daughter, landing in California, and later settling in Florida, which she considered her home.
Her resilience and boundless sense of humor saw her through the difficulty of being a divorced mother in the 1960s. She eventually met and married M. C. “Monnie” Lewis and grew her family by two more beautiful daughters and two stepdaughters. Although that union was not as permanent as initially intended, Leonora soon found herself in the arms of her beloved husband of 39 years, Edmund “Ted” Bartlett, PhD, and with two more lovely stepdaughters. Leonora loved her many daughters, both biological and step-, with all her heart. Doubtless, she could not have imagined spending her twilight years with anyone other than her waggish, adoring husband.
Leonora was an incredibly competent woman with a wide array of expertise. She started her career as an office assistant and continued to enrich herself through experience and community college courses. When she retired in 2018, she was the backbone of her husband’s business, acting as office manager, CFO, and orchestrator of countless other behind the scenes tasks. She was also a talented and creative seamstress who enjoyed creating for friends and loved ones.
She always liked to stay busy and could often be found engaging in one of her many hobbies, including quilting, sewing, and all things DIY. Most recently she was fond of puzzles, but in the past, she dabbled in storytelling, kickboxing, and even memes for the sake of her grandchildren. She advocated zealously for many causes, including the environment, women’s rights, and for those less fortunate than herself. She was particularly proud of her work on the Obama campaign in both the 2008 and 2012 elections. It was through her caring and welcoming nature that she worked her way into so many hearts. She was a loving woman who will be dearly missed for her loyalty, warmth, kindness, compassion, and generosity. She was never afraid to advocate for herself, and it was this strength that inspired strength in others. She was, in that sense, a pure badass.
Leonora is predeceased by: her parents Leonard and Elizabeth “Bessie” (née Clemons) Abbey; her brother Alan Abbey; her previous husband M. C. “Monnie” Lewis; her daughter Elaine Lewis; her step-daughter Margaret “Peggy” Lewis; and many cherished family pets.
She is survived by: her husband Edmund “Ted” Bartlett, PhD; her daughters Julie Lewis of Winter Park, FL; Jennifer (Thomas) Howe of Holden, MA; and Patti (Casper Mørck) Lewis of Franklin, NC; her step-daughters Sage (Adam) Wiggall of Altamonte Springs, FL; Judi (Byron) Harlan of San Diego, CA; and Laura (Martin) Livingston of Livingstonville, NY; her nephew Dana Abbey of Tuscon, AZ; her grandchildren Renee (David Poon) Williams of Medford, MA; Donald Williams of Oakham, MA; Celino Diaz of Orlando, FL; Edith Cooker of Orlando, FL; Maxfield and Marston Wiggall of Altamonte Springs, FL; August Harlon of San Diego, CA; and Amani Burbage of Orlando, FL; and her darling cat, Stanley.
Services for Leonora will be held privately at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the following charities that she held dear: Emily’s List at www.emilyslist.org, or ActBlue at support.actblue.com
Leonora's funeral arrangements are in the caring guidance of Winter Oak Funeral Home and Cremations,
1132 E. Plant St. Winter Garden, FL 34787
Leonora was born in Peoria, Illinois and was affectionately known as Nora, Norie, ElNora, and many other names by the people who loved her. Although born in Peoria, one small town could not contain her, and she traveled across the country with her first daughter, landing in California, and later settling in Florida, which she considered her home.
Her resilience and boundless sense of humor saw her through the difficulty of being a divorced mother in the 1960s. She eventually met and married M. C. “Monnie” Lewis and grew her family by two more beautiful daughters and two stepdaughters. Although that union was not as permanent as initially intended, Leonora soon found herself in the arms of her beloved husband of 39 years, Edmund “Ted” Bartlett, PhD, and with two more lovely stepdaughters. Leonora loved her many daughters, both biological and step-, with all her heart. Doubtless, she could not have imagined spending her twilight years with anyone other than her waggish, adoring husband.
Leonora was an incredibly competent woman with a wide array of expertise. She started her career as an office assistant and continued to enrich herself through experience and community college courses. When she retired in 2018, she was the backbone of her husband’s business, acting as office manager, CFO, and orchestrator of countless other behind the scenes tasks. She was also a talented and creative seamstress who enjoyed creating for friends and loved ones.
She always liked to stay busy and could often be found engaging in one of her many hobbies, including quilting, sewing, and all things DIY. Most recently she was fond of puzzles, but in the past, she dabbled in storytelling, kickboxing, and even memes for the sake of her grandchildren. She advocated zealously for many causes, including the environment, women’s rights, and for those less fortunate than herself. She was particularly proud of her work on the Obama campaign in both the 2008 and 2012 elections. It was through her caring and welcoming nature that she worked her way into so many hearts. She was a loving woman who will be dearly missed for her loyalty, warmth, kindness, compassion, and generosity. She was never afraid to advocate for herself, and it was this strength that inspired strength in others. She was, in that sense, a pure badass.
Leonora is predeceased by: her parents Leonard and Elizabeth “Bessie” (née Clemons) Abbey; her brother Alan Abbey; her previous husband M. C. “Monnie” Lewis; her daughter Elaine Lewis; her step-daughter Margaret “Peggy” Lewis; and many cherished family pets.
She is survived by: her husband Edmund “Ted” Bartlett, PhD; her daughters Julie Lewis of Winter Park, FL; Jennifer (Thomas) Howe of Holden, MA; and Patti (Casper Mørck) Lewis of Franklin, NC; her step-daughters Sage (Adam) Wiggall of Altamonte Springs, FL; Judi (Byron) Harlan of San Diego, CA; and Laura (Martin) Livingston of Livingstonville, NY; her nephew Dana Abbey of Tuscon, AZ; her grandchildren Renee (David Poon) Williams of Medford, MA; Donald Williams of Oakham, MA; Celino Diaz of Orlando, FL; Edith Cooker of Orlando, FL; Maxfield and Marston Wiggall of Altamonte Springs, FL; August Harlon of San Diego, CA; and Amani Burbage of Orlando, FL; and her darling cat, Stanley.
Services for Leonora will be held privately at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the following charities that she held dear: Emily’s List at www.emilyslist.org, or ActBlue at support.actblue.com
Leonora's funeral arrangements are in the caring guidance of Winter Oak Funeral Home and Cremations,
1132 E. Plant St. Winter Garden, FL 34787