Leonie S. Brewer
SALISBURY — Leonie S. Brewer, age 98, died peacefully at Noble Horizons on Jan. 25, 2022.
She was born on Long Island, the third of four children. After attending schools in Philadelphia and Baltimore, she worked in an advertising agency in New York City. She came to Salisbury in 1946 when her first husband, Jeffrey P. Walker, joined the faculty at Salisbury School. Following their divorce in 1967, she married Dr. Alfred E. Brewer.
After Dr. Brewer’s death in 1984, Leonie lived happily in Salisbury for the rest of her life, enjoying visits with her family and friends.
Blessed with great creative and organizational abilities, she served for many years on the Noble Horizons Auxiliary Board, serving as treasurer, vice president and president. She also served for nine years on the board of the Salisbury Visiting Nurse Association, highlighted by years on the Building Committee charged with overseeing the planning, construction and furnishing of the SVNA building on Salmon Kill Road in Salisbury.
Many people in town knew her best for her knitting skills. She was a prolific contributor of one-of-a-kind sweaters to Noble Horizons Holiday Bazaars. Her color combinations, stitches and patterns kept growing ever more challenging and sophisticated, even as her eyesight began to diminish.
An avid reader, Leonie was intrigued with learning how things and people worked. She thrived on doing crossword puzzles. She did the New York Times Sunday puzzle every week, and even created her own clever puzzles.
Leonie was adamantly independent and self-reliant, but readily acknowledged the roles of so many people in the community in allowing her to live on her own as long as she did. For all the help she received and for all the respect and friendship she was shown by those who helped around her home and the wonderful doctors and nurses at Sharon Hospital, she was sincerely grateful and appreciative. A very special thanks goes to Mary, who for over 50 years was the most loyal friend and helper anyone could ever ask for.
During the final years of her life, Leonie was able to take advantage of the services of the two Salisbury organizations she devoted so many hours to during earlier years. The devoted aides including one particular driver at SVNA helped her become comfortable with needing daily assistance. The highly skilled and compassionate staff at Noble Horizons provided excellent care and support during her time there.
Leonie is survived by her brother, Leonard (Margo); her son, Jeff (Pat); her daughters, Sandie and Lynn (Joe); and her granddaughters Katy (Ellen) and Erin. She is also survived by her step-daughter, Hollis; and her son, Justin (Jolene).
From her upbringing in what now seems like a distant era, the courage, dignity and grace that she was raised to exemplify only grew through the years and were there right up to the moment of her death.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Leonie’s name to Noble Horizons, 17 Cobble Road, Salisbury, CT 06068; or SVNA Home Assistance, 30A Salmon Kill Road, Salisbury, CT 06068. Memorial service plans are pending.
