Obituary of Lena E. Weed

Born Lena Elizabeth Marshall, in Beacon NY, to Eugene and Jamesina Marshall. Known as Lee or Aunt Lee to her friends and family, known as Nani and Grandma Lee to her grandchildren, her presence in this world will be sorely missed. A life-long Beacon resident, Lee, loved the splendor and history of her Hudson Valley. She attended St. Joachim's Elementary School and Beacon High School, where, she was valedictorian of the class of 1945. There she met the first love of her life, Jack MacAvery (John D. MacAvery) who predeceased her in 1997 after 49 years of marriage. Before marrying, Lee studied at St. Mary's College, in South Bend Indiana, majoring in Chemistry. Lee and Jack had 5 children and provided a loving, lively and stimulating home on Maple Street where they welcomed, entertained and sheltered a multitude of friends. She effortlessly bridged generation gaps attracting people of all ages to their home and into her heart. She was a fiercely loyal and dedicated wife, mother, sister, daughter, grandmother and friend, with an outstanding smile, great sense of humor and intellect. As a young mother, Lee was active in St. John the Evangelist Parish where her children attended school. She was a den mother with the cub scouts for many years. She was active in community organizations and the Lions Club. In 1963, she went to work at IBM, part time, starting as a cashier in the cafeteria. This foray back to work became a 30 + year career, where she quickly worked her way into management positions, retiring in 1986 from IBM World Trade. In her retirement, Lee was able to thoroughly enjoy her passions. She adored her children and grandchildren and spent as much time as possible with them. She loved gardening and turned the Maple Street property into a profusion of flowers. She delighted in producing bushels of tomatoes. She was a life-long New York Times crossword puzzle enthusiast and later Words with Friends competitor. She and Jack enjoyed camping, traveling and organizing parties together. Although Jack's death was devastating, there were more treasured times to come. In 1999, Lee began a relationship which would become a grand love story. She and Don Weed (Donald Strippel Weed) rekindled a friendship at All Sport Gym and a photograph of them graced a billboard on Fishkill Avenue for years. They married in 2001. She was 72 and he 76. Don's entrance into her life and all of our lives was and remains a blessing which is deep and abiding. During 15 years of marriage they traveled the world and shared a love that shone wherever they were. They took care of one another with great tenderness and humor. Their example of resiliency, open hearts, intelligence and grace will forever be their legacy. Lee is survived by her husband, and her 3 children, John Terrence (Terry) MacAvery and his wife Liz of NYC, Amy Lee MacAvery and her partner, E. Gregory Sees of Brewster, MA, and Daniel Joseph MacAvery of Beacon NY, as well as her daughter in law, Alison Ballo MacAvery. She was predeceased by her sons, Timothy Eugene MacAvery (1963) and Jeffrey Thomas MacAvery (2016). She is also survived by her sister, Connie Iverson Conine of Fishkill, NY and herbrother, Eugene Marshall and his wife, Joan of Fishkill, NY. In the Weed family, she is survived by: Tracy and Stacy Weed of San Jose, CA, Philip and Bernadette Weed of Alpharetta, GA, Pam and Richard Lafleur of Derry, NH, and Anne and Joseph Locasio of Allendale, NJ. She also leaves the grandchildren she adored and who adored her, Ryan MacAvery and his wife Sarah of NYC, Megan MacAvery of NYC, Benjamin Gruenbaum and his wife Robin Juilano of Silver Spring MD, Jeremy Gruenbaum of Newton, MA, and Annie Gruenbaum of Boston, MA. She had 2 great grandchildren as well and one on the way. Additionally in the Weed family she will be greatly missed by these grandchildren, Lindsay and Nathan Meinert of Atascarado, CA, Stephanie and Trevor Holzmer of Omaha, NE, Valerie Weed of San Jose, CA, Ryan Weed of Alpharetta, GA, Sarah and Jared Halonen of Savannah, GA, Scott Lafleur of Tucson, AZ, Amy Lafleur of Derry, NH, and Kevin, Sophia and Jason Locasio of Allandale, NJ. Lee was deeply loved by many nieces, nephews, in-laws, cousins and a huge community of friends. All were blessed by her enormous, loving heart, and wit. Her ever ready smile and laughter will be with us forever and ever. Visiting hours will be held at Straub Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 East Main Street in Wappingers Falls on Tuesday, November 1, 2016 from 2 to 4 and 7 to p.m. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 2 at Zion Episcopal Church, 12 Satterlee Place, Wappingers Falls. Burial will be private. Contributions in Lee's memory may be made to the Beacon Ambulance Corp. 1 Arquilla Drive, PO Box 54 Beacon NY 12508. To send the family a personal condolence or for directions, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.