Obituary

Leona Duminska Poczatek, a beautiful, devoted, beloved and loving wife, mother of two, grandmother of three, sister of two, aunt, teacher and friend of many was born in Greenpoint, the Polish section of Brooklyn, New York on May 13, 1940. She took her last breath on Monday June 19, 2023 at 5:30 PM as she was joined with Jesus.

Leona was born as the middle child to Walter and Manya Duminski and grew up in Greenpoint. Leona remained there with her family until she married the love of her life, Louis Lawrence Poczatek.

Leona and Lou met at her Debutante Ball and were immediately smitten with each other. They soon consecrated their union of love by entering into the sacrament of Holy Matrimony on July 7, 1962. They were married at St. Stans Church in Brooklyn and held their reception at Tavern on the Green, in Manhattan. Leona and Lou began their life together as a family in Rhode Island and later moved to Bayside, NY and then to Geneva IL.  In the summer of 1978, the four Poczateks settled in Mission Viejo, CA where Leona resided for 55 years.

Leona was very ambitious and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Education from Queens College and also owned & operated her own dance studio, “Miss Leona’s School of Dance” in Brooklyn for 12+ years. She enjoyed a 55 year career as an elementary school teacher, working in Rhode Island, New York and eventually in Mission Viejo where she later retired from Del Lago Elementary School as a kindergarten teacher.

Leona was preceded in death by her father, Walter, mother Manya, husband Lou, cousins Arlene & Ray among many other beloved relatives. She is survived by her two children: Alexis and Mark (Marva), three grandchildren: Briana, Danny (Jessica), and Madison, her sister: Carole (Fred), her brother: Walter (Cynthia) and many beloved  cousins, nieces and nephews.

From an early age up until her last breath, Leona had a great passion for God, family, dance, the Arts, education, books, fitness and being a support for those in need. She was active in various community groups for the 44 years she lived in Mission Viejo. Leona was still taking Art History & fitness classes, Bible Study, and was involved in Book Club and numerous groups with friends within the local community.

Leona touched all who ever had the pleasure of meeting her with her wisdom, sensibility, and loving guidance. She was a ballerina at heart, known as the Dancing Queen, and is now dancing in the Heavens with her sweetheart, Lou, Jesus and many cherished family members and friends who have passed on before her.

Leona will be deeply missed and will forever remain in our hearts as the beautiful, loving, kind, wise, funny and virtuous woman we all knew her to be.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:30am on August 4, 2023 at St. Kilian Church in Mission Viejo.
The Mass can now be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/live/v_Iiy_oDhcQ?feature=share
At Leona’s request, please wear pink 🩷.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to one of these organizations in Leona’s name: Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, Holy Family Province or The Society of St Vincent de Paul.