OBITUARY: Leona C. Bombard, 95

Below is an obituary from Nichols Funeral Home:

WILMINGTON, MA — Leona C. (Safford) Bombard, age 95, of Wilmington, passed away peacefully on June 8, 2026.

Born on June 9, 1930, in Winooski, Vermont, Leona was the daughter of the late Leon F. and Barbara M. (White) Safford. She was raised in Vermont and graduated from Cambridge High School in Cambridge, Vermont.

Leona and Rhy P. Bombard married and began their family in Vermont. They later settled in Watertown, Massachusetts, where they raised their six children: Linda, Gary, Debi, Carole, Ronald, and Stewart.

A dedicated and hardworking woman, Leona was employed as a bookkeeper for Greater Boston Rehabilitation in Watertown for many years before her retirement.

More than thirty years ago, Leona moved to Wilmington to be closer to her family. During her years in Wilmington, she proudly served on the Wilmington Housing Authority and remained active in her community.

Leona enjoyed a variety of hobbies and interests throughout her life. She was a talented oil painter and enjoyed making crafts. She also loved to travel, especially on trips organized through the Wilmington Recreation Department. Among her many memorable adventures were visits to Alaska and Hawaii, which she cherished and often spoke about with family and friends.

Leona was the wife of the late Rhy P. Bombard; devoted mother of Linda A. MacDonald and her late husband Paul of Wilmington, Gary A. Bombard of Vermont, Debi J. Gray and her late husband Dana of Vermont, Carole L. Humes and her husband Richard of New Hampshire, the late Ronald A. Bombard and his wife Donna, and the late Stewart P. Bombard. She was the loving “Grammy” of Keith, Beth, Joshua, Emily, Dori, Deon, Dale, Kayla, Jayce, Casey, and Christopher, and the cherished “Great-Grammy” of eleven great-grandchildren. Leona was the dear sister of Marion E. Safford of Florida, Muriel Shipman of Vermont, and the late Beverly A. Prindle. She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Family and friends will gather for a Graveside Service at Mountain View Cemetery, 253 Bartlett Hill Rd, Cambridge, VT on Thursday, July 16th at 11:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Leona’s memory may be made to Brighton Hospice, 1234 Chestnut Street, Suite 101, Newton, MA 02464.

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