Monday, September 2, 2013

Leona Van Blarcom Passes Away at 88

Leona Miller Van Blarcom, 88,  passed away from complications due to abdominal cancer on August 22, 2013 at Suncoast Hospice Care Center, Mid-Pinellas in St Petersburg Florida.




Mrs. Van Blarcom was born and raised in Ellwood City, PA where she graduated from Lincoln High School and attended Garfield Business College. 

In 1947 while employed as a clerk at National Tube Company she met and married her husband Warren C Van Blarcom Jr., an industrial engineer and World War II Army Veteran.

The couple and their two children moved to Asheville North Carolina in 1956 where Mrs. Van Blarcom was a member of sewing and bridge clubs as well as a hiking club. She was also an avid gardener and known for her remarkable floral arrangements.


In 1969 with their children grown the Van Blarcoms moved to the Tierra Verde community in St. Petersburg and became active members of the Pass-a-Grill Yacht Club.

In preparation for retirement the couple was among the first to purchase a home in Five Towns Condominium (1973), where they spent the rest of their lives. Mr. Van Blarcom passed away on July 20, 1994.





Among Mrs. Van Blarcom’s lifelong activities were bowling, swimming, bridge, walking and reading.  Having once held the women’s single series record for Western North Carolina, she continued the sport with team bowling at Seminole Lanes in St Petersburg FL scoring a League high of 288.


Her love of books and reading led her to volunteer at the Five Towns Library for nearly 10 years.


She is survived by a brother, Arlie Miller of Ellwood City PA; a son, Robert Bruce Van Blarcom of St Petersburg FL; a daughter, Mary Elizabeth Van Blarcom of Jacksonville FL; a granddaughter, Jana Elizabeth Harris and two great grandsons, Harrison and Jackson of Nashville NC.



50 Years of Friendship

Friends for 50 years, Alice Bowman and Leona
shared many happy adventures

Black Mountain NC 1996
 

Christmas Fun

Christmas was always a time for family and for fun:
 

2012
 2009

 
2008


 1994

 1994


 
1982

 
1981

 
1981

1976

1960


Seminole Lanes Bowling Team

The League's Christmas party 1983

At the Bridge Table

November 2004


Retirement Party from Five Towns Library Volunteers 

 

 

Spring 2012