Leona Mae Mello
Leona Mae Mello (nee Ash), 88, of Middlefield, Ohio, passed away peacefully Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at home while surrounded by her loving family.
She was born in Kanawha County, West Virginia on Sept. 21, 1937, to the late Claude C. and F. Marie (nee Cutlip) Ash.
Leona later married her best friend and love of her life, William Mello, on Sept. 21, 1956.
Leona graduated from Monongah High School and attended Fairmont State School of Nursing.
She was employed by several factories in the Middlefield area. She also worked at many stores and was employed for many years by Trumbull Memorial Hospital.
Leona was an avid reader and gardener, and she was a devoted and generous friend and neighbor.
Her greatest joy was time spent with her grandsons, Christopher and Nicholas, and her great-granddaughters, Leona Monet, Olivia Rose and Julia Hazel.
Leona will be greatly missed by her loving husband of 69 years, William; daughter, Diana (Robert) Tripi; son, Bill Mello; grandchildren, Christopher (Nicee) Tripi and Nicholas (Bekah) Tripi; great-grandchildren, Leona Monet Tripi, Olivia Rose Tripi, Julia Hazel Tripi; brother Frank Ash; sisters-in-law Carolyn Ash, Nancy Huss (Stanley), Linda Pontes; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She is preceded in death by: her parents; brothers Leon and wife, Hazel, Ash, Ed Ash, Ken and wife, Carol, Ash, and Max and wife, JoAnn, Ash; and sister-in-law Carol Ash.
Family and friends will be received from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, at Best Funeral Home, 15809 Madison Road, Middlefield. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at the funeral home.
Leona’s final resting place will be in Overlook Cemetery, Parkman Township, Ohio.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Best Funeral Home, Middlefield. 440-632-0818. Online condolences may be sent at www.bestfunerals.com.
