Leona Kelly Krasnansky

Born in Yonkers, NY on November 15, 1924 Departed on December 10, 2017 and resided in White Plains, NYVisitation: Ballard Durand - White PlainsWednesday December 13, 2017 2:00pm to 4:00pmWednesday December 13, 2017 6:00pm to 8:00pmFuneral Service: Ballard Durand - White PlainsThursday December 14, 2017 10:00am to 10:45amBurial: Gate of Heaven CemeteryThursday December 14, 2017 11:15am to 11:45am

Leona Kelly Krasnansky passed peacefully on Sunday December 10th. Leona was 93 and living at The Kensington Assisted Living Facility in White Plains, New York. Leona's son, daughter-in-law and grandson were at her side when she died.

Leona is survived by her son Joseph and wife Sanda who live near Peekskill and grandson Michael who lives in White Plains.

Leona was born November 15, 1924 in Yonkers, New York and the family soon moved to Croton on Hudson, NY where she remained until married in 1950.

Her parents were Leo C. Kelly and Anne Bridgman. Leo wasa Navy veteran of WW I and in WW II worked at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Anne Bridgman was recruited by the Bell Telephone Company to join the new technology industry as a telephone operator in lower Manhattan. They had one child Leona in 1924.

Leona attended the Croton Public Schools through High School and then attended and graduated from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn with a BFA in Fine Arts. Leona then attended Columbia University "Teachers College" and received a M.Ed., a masters in education. Leona was trained as a fine artist and an art educator.

She met her husband to be, Joseph Krasnansky, Jr., at Pratt institute. He attended under the GI bill. Joseph served in the Pacific theater in what was then called the Army Air Force.

They married in 1950 and had one child Joseph Krasnansky 3rd in 1951. Leona loved the extended Krasnansky family and felt so fortunate to be a part of them.

Leona worked in the NYC school systems in Queens and then Bronx New York as an art teacher from the late 40's until 1958 and then moving to Harrison NY in 1958.

Leona worked as an art teacher in Harrison until the mid 60's and then transitioned to the Elmsford UFSD as an Art Teacher, teaching all grade levels until 1985. In 1985 she began working as an Art Therapist for the Osborn Nursing Home in Rye NY for five years.

Leona and Joseph were married for 39 years until his death in 1989.

Their son Joseph is married to Sanda Krasnansky and they have one son, Michael.

Leona met a wonderful friend, poet, historian and fellow Irishman Patrick Ahern whose family came from the same village Leona's family came from in Ireland. They were a couple for almost 20 years until his death in 2013.

Leona always advocated for investing in the arts and education for all children. Leona was also a gardener, and an activist for conservation and animal rights.

She will be missed by many.