Loretta Abbate, 90, Vero Beach
Loretta Abbate, 90, died on Oct. 3, 2018, at the Indian River Memorial Hospital in Vero Beach. She was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and lived in Seaford, Long Island, N.Y., for 20 years before moving to Vero Beach 41 years ago.
She married the love of her life, Vincent Abbate, on Nov. 30, 1957, and they spent the last 61 years together. They raised two sons, Vincent Abbate, Jr., of Vero Beach, and Richard Abbate, of New York City.
Mrs. Abbate graduated from Prospect Heights High School, and was employed as a bookkeeper in a number of local companies in Vero. She was an active member of the Italian American Civic Association in Vero Beach, serving as Ladies Auxiliary President and Treasurer multiple times.
Survivors include her husband, Vincent Sr.; her sons, Vincent Jr. and Richard; granddaughters, Alyssa and Alexandra; brother, Simone Pitaressi and family; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held at Strunk Funeral Home, Vero Beach. A Funeral Service was held at Strunk Funeral Home, Vero Beach.
Marie Sapp Hughes Collins, 82, Sebastian
Marie Sapp Hughes Collins, 82, of Sebastian, passed away Oct. 5, 2018, after a long battle with cancer. She was born in Arcadia, Fla., on Nov. 7, 1935.
Marie spent time working outside the home, in the insurance business and for the United States Post Office. But her greatest love was her family.
Marie lived in Pahokee with her husband, Arnold V. Hughes, until his death in 1993.
She then moved to Williston, Fla. Marie married Roland J. Collins and they lived in the Ocala National Forest. After Roland passed away, Marie just wanted to spent time with her family, she traveled from Williston to Sebastian all the way up to Michigan.
Marie was one of the most giving people that will ever be known. Marie was a 50-plus year member of the Eastern Star Organization and a member of the Sebastian River Baptist Church.
Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Meakin J. and Judy Mae (Garrett) Sapp; husbands Arnold V. Hughes and Roland J Collins; and her daughters, Judy Kay Funderburk and Madonna Otto.
Marie is survived by her son, Johnny Hughes (Jackie Erney), of Sebastian; daughters, Sharon (Walt) Germain, Sandy (Mike) Hutchens, and Theresa (Al) Maniaci, all of Michigan; 12 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.
Viewing will be held at Seawinds Funeral Home at 9-10 a.m. on Saturday Oct. 13. Service will follow. Marie will then travel to Port Mayaca, Fla., where she will be laid to rest with Arnold.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Marie’s name to the Sebastian River Baptist Church, 1117 US 1, Sebastian.
John Michael Lee, 69, Vero Beach
John Michael Lee, 69, passed away peacefully at his home on Oct. 3, 2018.
Mike was born in West Terra Haute, Ind., and lived in Vero Beach, for the past 41 years.
He retired from Vero Beach Chrysler as a RV Service Manager.
Mike was a United States Air Force veteran. He graduated from Garfield High School.
Survivors include wife, Tracy Lee, of Vero Beach; daughter, Cheri Haase (Curt) of Clinton, Ind.; son, Mike Spell, of Vero Beach; brother, Tommy Lee, of West Terra Haute, Ind.; sister, Jean Cox, of Mont.; aunt, Jean Miller, of Mo.; and numerous loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mike was preceded in death by his mother, father and loving brother, Johnny Fugate.
Memorial contributions may be made to VNA Hospice House of Vero Beach, Florida.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, Oct. 27, at Strunk Funeral Home, Vero Beach from 1-4 p.m.
The family requests that if you were considered as one of Mike’s Harley Davidson “family” you ride the day of the service to commemorate his legacy.
Wanda Lou Morehead Leissing, 89, Vero Beach
Wanda Lou Morehead Leissing, 89, of Vero Beach, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, at VNA Hospice House, surrounded by her loving family. She was born Nov. 8, 1928, in Ardmore, Okla., and moved to Vero Beach in 1989 from Kearny, N.J.
Wanda was a member of St. Helen Catholic Church.
She was a long time member of the Vero Beach Veterans, where she loved playing Bingo.
Survivors include daughters, Sharlotte (Randy) Smith, Diane (Jim) Sabonjohn, and Ruth Bommarito; four grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by husband, Charles Leissing.
A visitation will be held 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 11, with a funeral service immediately following at 4:30 p.m. at Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory.
