Carmella Maniscalco Leon

  A Celebration of Life in memory of Carmella Maniscalco Leon will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, April 12, 2019 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Marshall St. Burial will immediately follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery, 2300 Texas Ave., Shreveport, LA. Officiating the service will be Father Fidel Mondragon of St. Joseph's Catholic Church.   Carmella was born in Pickering, Louisiana on Sept. 7, 1918- or was it the 11th? There was always spirited debate about the date - was it the date of arrival into the world or her baptismal? She was the daughter of Sicilian immigrants, Mary (nee Montalbano), and Joaquin Maniscalco. She passed away Tuesday, April 9, 2019 peacefully at her home in Shreveport, Louisiana.   One of 9, mother of 5, grandmother to more than one can count and Queen of Colonial Oaks. She ruled our hearts and this world will not be the same without her. Della grew up with a strong love of family and an equally strong work ethic, working as a housewife and beautician.   Mama was remarkable. With a ready smile and the ever-ready "hug," Della was a friend, a giver, a fighter, a survivor - loved by all and admired by many. She was patient. She was kind. With a quick laugh, a sparky spirit, Della lived her faith from the heart of her home. Her tiny kitchen on Reily Lane was the source of pasta aglio et olio, and suca to rival any Michelin 3-star. The difference? At mama's, the doors never closed.   Della shared her home with sister, Acursia "Ruby" Maniscalco for 25 years. Together the two spent revered time saying the rosary, attending St. Joseph's, watching Telemundo (she loved the Mexican dancers), and enjoying many precious hours spent with visiting greats and grands. It is no extrapolation of fact to say, that for mom, family was everything and her kingdom was a happy place.   Della was married to Willie Glenn Buckley and had two beautiful children with first and loving husband before he passed away from a brief illness shortly after their marriage. Carmella would meet and marry second husband, William Leon or "Billy." To this union were born three children, Michael, Joe, and Mary Ann. The couple owned and operated several fish and farm stores before Billy's death in 1973.   Della was preceded in death by her parents; first husband Willie Glenn Buckley and second husband William "Billy" Leon; brothers, Andrew Maniscalco, Jake Maniscalco, Johnny Maniscalco, Joseph Maniscalco, Vincent Maniscalco, and Vito Maniscalco; sisters, Acursia "Ruby" Maniscalco and Angelina Maniscalco; son, Glenn Buckley; and Richard Darnell.   She is survived by her daughters, Carmella Brewster and husband Bill of Shreveport, Louisiana and Mary Ann Arnold; sons, Michael Leon and wife Marie of Dallas, Texas and Joe Leon and wife Judy of Haughton, Louisiana; daughter-in-law, Jeannie Buckley; grandchildren, Melissa Watson and husband Jeremy, Leslie Brewster, Amy Darter and husband Keith, Robert Bock, Ryan Bock, and Michael C. Leon, Spencer Leon and wife Devon, Ashley Parker and husband Ray, Casey Benoit and wife Hannah, Lacey Cloud and husband Kevin, Clint Buckley and wife Jeannette, and Patricia Buckley; great-grandchildren, Avery, Aubry, Alex, Evi, Madeleine, Emily Kate, Addyson, Tyler, Eli, Trip, Tucker, Maddox, Beau, Guinivere, Jessica, Joseph, Nathan, Matthew and Genevieve.   The family would like to extend particular gratitude to our sisters, Carmella Brewster, and Mary Ann Arnold, for their faithful dedication and care of mom. To your families, we want you to know we appreciate your sacrifice - the loan of wife, mother and grandma to the role of caretaker - more than words can express. You have both carried the lion's share of the burden. We love you and thank God for your generosity of spirit.   We extend further appreciation to the medical doctors and nurses of St. Joseph's Hospice, Colonial Oaks, and in particular, Dr. Diana Lim, who each have provided compassion without end. To our friend Annette Fleming, your kindness is forever cherished. Mary Elizabeth Morgan - for your faithful support of mom and the family - your gifts of food, prayers and communion - thank you from the bottom of our hearts.   Honoring Della as pallbearers will be her grandsons- Casey Benoit, Robert Bock, Ryan Bock, Clint Buckley, Michael Leon and Spencer Leon.   The family suggests memorials be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 204 Patton Ave., Shreveport, LA, 71105.