Leota D. Horstman
Leota D. Horstman: a life of love, well lived. With remarkable grace and perseverance, "Lee" valiantly battled lung and bone cancer in her last year of life. Her cheerful outlook and enthusiasm for each day rarely shifted, despite living with the ravages of vascular dementia for seven years prior. Leota was surrounded by love in her Naples, Florida home, when she died in Kim's arms, October 2016.
Born in Hamden, Connecticut in 1931, and truly proud to be an Irish Connecticut Yankee, Lee was an accomplished woman, nurse, devoted wife and mother who led an inspiring and benevolent life. She was well respected and highly regarded as a woman of integrity and kindness, with a spectrum of talents, interests and abilities. Lee was warm, unassuming and easy to be with.
Leota graduated Knox School in Cooperstown, New York and Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts. Throughout her school years she was a multiple sport athlete, fluent in French and enjoyed learning, which held true all of her life, and made friends easily. At Knox she was Winter Carnival Queen, and captain of both her crew and basketball teams. In her early- mid adulthood she was an avid golfer, enjoyed tennis, skiing and playing bridge. Few knew that she was also a young glider and Piper Cub pilot.
She fulfilled her dream of being a nurse and earned her RN degree from Middlesex Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Connecticut, having served as class president. Lee loved being a nurse and was committed to excellence and quality health care. Her colleagues, former patients and peers remember her for her high attention to details and high standards during her 42-year career as a skilled nurse and OR supervisor.
From her earliest pursuits, to proudly serving her country during the 1960s as a Navy Lt RN, to financing her husband's college and medical degrees and early career, Lee was a strong, competent woman. It was while stationed at Balboa, San Diego, that she met and later married Anthony J. Horstman, then a Navy corp man. They were married for many years, electing the beauty of this region as home in the 1970s, where they both settled into their respective medical careers.
Motherhood brought Lee great joy. She was always a happily involved Mom, a fan in the stands, and regularly traveled to support her only child Kim's athletic and scholastic pursuits. It was widely known that the duo have long shared a remarkable bond based on friendship, care and unconditional love.
For many years Lee volunteered at the Y and was long involved founding parent to the original Boothbay YMCA Dolphin swim team. Lee was an active patriotic citizen, yet a quiet veteran, quietly charitable to others in need. "Back in the day" she volunteered at St. Andrews Hospital, the BCA and various community causes.
She thoroughly enjoyed living in Maine, but summer days in Boothbay were her favorite time. Lee found hours of pleasure while fishing, swimming and bird watching at her cherished lakeside cottage. She frequently engaged her binoculars or telescope, fascinated by celestial and aircraft movements. She loved being on or near waterfront and boating. Water and snow skiing were her sports of choice mid-life and she gladly taught many friends and relatives to do both.
As a lifelong and highly spirited ball fan, she cheered Navy, the Patriots and Red Sox at any opportunity. She had a lifelong passion for music, reading and the performing arts. Her quick smile and propensity to laughter marked her personality; she never met a roller coaster she didn't whole heartedly enjoy, as well as all productions of Peter Sellers and Carol Burnett and the like.
A natural optimist, Leota viewed life through a lens of gratitude and sought the silver lining to the clouds of life that came her way.
She was predeceased by her parents, former husband, Anthony J. Horstman, MD, and two sisters.
She is survived by her daughter and best friend, Kim Horstman. "Aunt Lee" also leaves behind many dear nephews (several as godsons) including Steven, Scott, Sean Grumman, Denny, Paul, Jeff, Rick Duryea; one niece and Goddaughter, Sharon G. Parrish and each of their respective spouses and the loving extensions of all of those families, as well as friends and neighbors, across the country.
In lieu of flowers a memorial garden at home is being planned in Leota's memory. Information on how to participate is welcome and available by contacting Kim. Further details will be outlined during the Celebration of Life which is tentatively planned for July 2017. Correspondence may be sent to kimhorstmanmaine@yahoo.com and Miss Kim Horstman, 16 Chapel St., Boothbay, ME 04537
