Leonie Parsons, 96, lived in Roxbury

Leonie M. Parsons, 96, of Roxbury, died Sept. 6 among friends and family at her home. She was the widow of Geddes Parsons.

Mrs. Parsons was born Aug. 25, 1916, in Waterbury, daughter of the late Samuel P. and Leonie (Brown) Williams.

She resided in Roxbury full time since 1955. Prior to that, she was a summer resident since 1943.

During her life, she served on the National Board of Directors of Girls Clubs of America Inc. for 22 years, retiring as vice chairman in 1979.

She also established, owned and operated Country Interiors Inc., a full-service interior decorating business.

Upon her retirement from Country Interiors, Mrs. Parsons continued her expertise in home decorating by building, along with her late husband, and furnishing life-like doll houses.

Mrs. Parsons was involved with many nonprofit enterprises, including the Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury and the Roxbury Congregational Church.

She was an avid needlepointer, once completing a 15-stair tread, all of needlepoint.

Mrs. Parsons is survived by her son, John O. "J.O." White Jr., of Holderness, N.H.; two grandchildren, Jami W. Lyford and John W. White; three great-grandchildren, Felecia, Taylor and Rachel Lyford; three stepdaughters, Sallie Boody, of Old Saybrook, Edith Gengras, of Bloomfield, and Martha Lavendiere, of Plainville. She was predeceased by a stepdaughter, Julie Gengras; two brothers, Samuel and James "J.B."; and a sister, Rachael Williams.

A memorial service will take place today (Friday) at 11 a.m. at the Roxbury Congregational Church, 24 Church St. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the church or to the Roxbury Ambulance, PO Box 94, Roxbury CT 06783.

The Woodbury Funeral Home of Munson-Lovetere is in charge of arrangements.