Elsie Louise (Ferraro) Leone was born January 14, 1926, in Cokedale Colorado to hard-working immigrant parents Emilio and Gertrude Ferraro and she joined Jesus on March 4, 2021. When Elsie was born, she was so small that her mother would place her in a shoebox near the oven door to keep her warm. Though she was the smallest of the three Ferraro girls and her brother, she was a fierce competitor on the tennis court and in all things she did. Elsie was small but mighty. She attended Cokedale School and then Trinidad High School where she proudly excelled in business courses. She loved to learn! After high school, she worked for Judge John Mabry, then she worked as a secretary at the Trinidad Camp, a POW camp. She talked about this experience often as she was admired greatly by camp staff for the great work that she did. It wasn’t only the staff and administration who admired her, the prisoners were also keen. Elsie learned to play the piano as a child and had the gift of playing by ear. She was known to entertain the staff and prisoners alike during lunch hours by playing requested songs. She stayed until the camp closed, and she maintained many friendships that she made during her time there. The great love for family ran deep in her roots. During her early years of working, she helped to support her mother and father. At a point, her dad’s hands became injured from working long and hard with the coke ovens and when he couldn’t work, she was proud to have been able to help provide for them. About this time, she met the love of her life Frank Leone and the two of them built a family and a business, alongside their eldest son Sonny and now grandson Wayne. Leone Sand Gravel and Redimix, still today remain successful and a source of family pride. Though times were often tough, she never let anything get her down. She exemplified grit and grace in every way. While raising three children with her husband Frank, she also raised the business and took care of her aging mother in her home. She was always there to take care of her grandkids and even great-grandkids if she was needed. She adored rocking her babies and reveled in being surrounded by many of them. When her husband had a stroke in 1993, she cared for him at home until she could no longer. When he went to the nursing home, she sat by his side every day and all day while spending evenings at home. She found joy in loving her family well. Her rock-solid dedication was admirable. Elsie took pride in bringing joy to her family with her amazing food; namely her famous ravioli or meat pies and soup on a cold day. Anything on the stove was delicious, however, and could be smelled from outside when you pulled into her drive. Hundreds and thousands of cookies and pastries were baked with her sister Rose for every family wedding and Christmas holiday. Family flooded her home to taste her specialties and enjoy the warmth of her home. These cherished recipes and memories will forever be sweet. Elsie is survived by her three children Sonny (Toots), Robert (Magi), Kathy (Walter); Grandchildren Brian, Kevin (Kimberly), Amy (Nick), Sara, Wayne, Timi (Joe), Dylan, Karen (Nick), and Kenneth. Great-grandchildren include Madison, Nicoli, Greyson, Rayne, Harrison, Henry, Marli, Josi, Jeffrey, Mathew, Joshua, Nikenzie, Natalia, Niley, and Nora. Also, her beautiful sister Amelia (Millie) Pavlich and numerous cherished nieces and nephews. ‘ Elsie cherished her relationships with every family member, neighbor, and friend and she wasn’t shy about showing it. She would do anything for anyone… and she did. Elsie Leone will forever be a part of everyone who was blessed by knowing her. May she rest in peace in the presence of our Savior Lord Jesus Christ.
Visitation will be Wednesday, March 10, 2021, from 3 pm-6 pm at the Comi Chapel.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, March 11, 2021, at 10 am at Holy Trinity Church.
Covid restrictions apply.
Interment will follow at the Trinidad Catholic Cemetery.
The honorary Pallbearer is Kevin Leone.
Active Pallbearers are Wayne Leone, Brian Leone, Dylan Pachorek, Joe Terry Jr., and Nick Sartori.
Persons wishing to do so may make contributions to the Trinidad Catholic Cemetery Association in Elsie’s memory.
Arrangements made under the direction of the Coi Funeral Home.
