AUBURN — Leona Bragdon Eldredge of New Gloucester, passed away peacefully on May 31, at her daughter, Susan’s home, with her family around her. The family will always be so grateful to our sister, Sue, her husband, Mike and their daughter, Lydia for taking mom into their home in her final days and caring for her so lovingly.

She was born Sept. 21, 1932, in New Gloucester, the daughter of the late Mary Yates and the late Leo Pearl. In 1947, she married Sidney Bragdon, who passed away in 1979, after 32 years of marriage. In 1985, she married Vernon Eldredge and they got to share 25 years of marriage, before his death in 2010.

Over the years, Leona worked a variety of jobs, but her biggest pride was taking care of her home and her family. Her love of dolls, frogs and elephants were evident in every corner of her house.

One of her biggest joys was going to the store and buying new curtains. If she didn’t change her curtains every two months things just didn’t seem right to her. Her daughters loved to tease her about the fact that she owned more curtains than a curtain shop. Her home was her castle. Leona had a love of doing jigsaw puzzles and would spend hours hunting for that one piece that she just knew was lost, only to find it on the floor. Her week was not complete without a card game with her best friend.

She is survived by her five daughters, Linda Bowie, Diane Plummer and her husband, John, Jean Babbin of New Gloucester, Susan Peterson and her husband, Mike, of Auburn and Grace Bragdon and her partner, George-Lawrence of Old Orchard Beach; 13 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a brother, Herbert Pearl.

The story of Leona’s life would not be complete without mention of her best friend of more than 50 years, Betty McCoubrey and two very special neighbors, Mrs. B and Mr. Horr.

She was predeceased by a brother, Howard.

Her family would like to thank Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice for sending such special people to care for her. Caryn and Michelle will always hold a special place in the family’s heart. Also special thanks to Jim Farwell, Paula Shaw and Anita Richardson, she appreciated all of you so much.