Obituary of Leonie Symonds

Leonie "Russie" Symonds passed away on November 9, 2021 just 5 days before her 80th birthday. She was living at Sunrise of Edgewater Senior living at the time of her passing but had lived for more than 20 years in Cliffside Park. "Russie" received her bachelor's degree in Nursing from Columbia University. She was a registered nurse at (Columbia) New York Presbyterian Medical Center for her entire career in Orthopedics. A kind and reserved person, Russie was beloved by all who knew her. She was patient and thoughtful and a wonderful listener. Russie had few blood relatives although she was close to her cousin, Barbara in Ohio. Though not blood related, the Angelini family of Fort Lee essentially adopted Russie and became her family. She spent all the holidays with them and considered Sarah, Sabrina, and Luke her nieces and nephew. She was also God-mother to Sabrina. Russie will be sorely missed by the entire family, especially by Pam, who considered her a sister. They were friends for more than 40 years. A memorial service will be planned in the Spring or Summer when friends and family can travel