Leona Helene Mecagni

Leona Helene Mecagni (Payton), 101, of Port Hueneme, California, died at 9:25 AM Sunday, July 3, 2022, at her home in Port Hueneme, California.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 30, 2022 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Granville.  Burial will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Granville.

Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 30, 2022 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Granville.

Dysart – Cofoid Funeral Chapel will be assisting the family with the arrangements.

She was born on January 27, 1921, to Herbert and Mary Payton (Stevens) of Stinesville, Indiana. She later married Geno Mecagni of Standard, Illinois, on June 10, 1939, in La Salle, Illinois.

She is survived by her daughter Judith (Bill) Elliott, of Port Hueneme, California, and her three sons, Gerald of Oxnard, California, Richard (Jan) of Malibu, California, and Joseph (Sharlis) of Roanoke, Illinois, one brother Curtis Payton of Texas Ridge Road, Gosport, Indiana.

Leona is also survived by seven grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, and many great-great-grandchildren. All of whom, lovingly remember her as Noni or Sweet Noni.

Leona had a go-getter attitude. Her family was her top priority, and she insisted on keeping close-knit relationships with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Leona worked hard as a wife, mother, and homemaker. In addition, she owned and operated a home beauty salon for many years. She provided the gift of beauty services to many women in Standard, Illinois, and the surrounding areas making each client look and feel sharp. 

Leona and Geno eventually followed their children to California and made their home in Port Hueneme. Leona cooked delicious Italian food for her family every Sunday, well into her nineties. Her family and friends will remember her for her heavenly bowls of ravioli. She had a "stay in the moment" mindset that made her a natural at golf, which she loved to play. Her perseverance in the water made her a strong swimmer, another of her favorite pass times. Most of all, Leona enjoyed the challenge of daily word search puzzles. 

Online condolences may be made to her family at www.dcfunerals.com

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