Leona A. O'Connor, age 80, beloved mother, grandmother, and widow to the late John K O'Connor. Passed peacefully Monday at home following a long courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Salem, the daughter of the late Eugene and Philemena (Mary Marfongelli) April. She was a graduate of Salem High School class of 1959. She then attended Marian Court Junior College of Business in Swampscott earning her business certificate. Then Leona worked for many years with her first husband, the late Ralph H Hulsman Jr., building Oakum Bay Sailmakers Company. In 1983 she was employed by the Environmental Protection Agency as a permits clerk.

She worked with many charitable organizations, including the Sutton Home for Women. She was involved for many years with The Girls Scouts of America and held the position as secretary for the Explorer's Life Long Learning Program affiliated with Salem State University. She was also a member of The Violets and The Red Hats Social Group.

Leona was an avid gardener. She was always surrounded by her many beloved dogs, and she was an enthusiastic sports fan.

Leona is survived by her daughter Janet A. Forman, son William Hulsman, and her two grandchildren Blake and Alexandra Forman.

Her funeral and services will be held on Noon time November 3 at Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal Street Salem, MA, followed by interment at St. Mary's Cemetery in Salem. Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend. For those of you who wish to make a contribution, please donate to National Breast Cancer Foundation Inc. www.nationalbreastcancer.org