Leona Mabry

Leona Mathews Hotin Mabry of Peterborough (formerly of Dublin and Bennington) died restfully on February 21, 2023 at 90. Born and raised a Mormon in Preston, Idaho, Leona was a live radio singer, singing with her best friend Gae and her younger sister, Jane, on a weekly radio show in Preston.

Leona married William Hotin Jr, at age 19. Soon after marrying, Leona and Bill   embarked on their first adventure together which found them in Izmir, Turkey, where Bill had taken a teaching job. In Izmir, their first child, Robert, was born. After their year-long journey in Turkey, they returned to the states, and lived in Charlestown, NH where Bill had taken another teaching job. Their second child, David, was born there. Their next trip was to England where Bill took another overseas teaching job. It was upon their return from England their first daughter, Susan, was born. They lived in Jaffrey and had two more boys, Daniel and Edward. In 1964, they moved to Dublin where their second daughter, Lisa was born in 1965. 

Here the family stayed until 1981. But they didn’t stop traveling. Every summer the family would drive to Idaho to visit Leona’s parents and siblings. But the Hotin trips were never a direct route. The family visited every state in the lower 48 in one way or another, visiting landmarks, sites, and experiencing so much of the beauty this country has to offer. Leona loved the summer travels and time spent in Idaho with family and her best friend. 

In 1995, Leona married Howard Mabry. They made their home by the river in Bennington, NH. Over the next twenty years, their home welcomed generations of family and extended family, and was a hotspot for family gatherings and many celebrations. 

Leona and Howard also found great joy in traveling the country in their conversion van visiting relatives and did so for many years:  Howard’s family in Nebraska, and beyond, and Leona’s in Idaho, Wyoming and Utah. 

Leona consistently demonstrated that nothing ever meant more to her than the love of family and it was that love that drew her family together over decades.

Family members that predeceased Leona are her son, Robert, first husband Bill, second husband Howard, and brother Henry. 

Those that will cherish and remember Leona’s journey of life are her son David and wife Stephanie, daughter Susan and her husband Jeff, Dan and wife Dottie, Ed and wife Karen, and her daughter Lisa Mathews. Leona’s surviving siblings include Jane and husband Walt, Melvin and wife Darla, and sister Alta.

Grandchildren and significant others include Tucker Olmstead and wife Elsi along with Leona’s great-grandsons Adrian and Henry, Mariah Olmstead, Tyler Hotin and wife Alyssa, and Hayden Mathews. She also leaves behind four step-grandchildren and their children Amy and husband Joe Wakefield, Jessica and husband Kevin Russell; along with Andrew and wife Sierra Renard, and Nate Renard.   And of course, many other loving family members and friends.

A graveside service will take place on Leona’s birthday, May 8, 2023 at 2:00pm at the Dublin Cemetery. 

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