Elmerina Norma (Leonardi) Parkman

Elmerina Norma Leonardi Parkman of Auburn, NY, formerly of Kensington, MD and Weedsport, NY, died on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at the age of 92. Elmerina was born in Ithaca, NY on June 8, 1932, to Salvatore Anthony and Mary Baldini Leonardi.

Elmerina graduated as valedictorian of Weedsport High School’s Class of 1950. She attended the Katharine Gibbs School where she received a degree in executive secretarial training. Elmerina worked as an administrative assistant at GE in Auburn, NY before her marriage to Paul D. Parkman, a young man she first met in the kindergarten classroom at Weedsport Elementary School. Elmerina and Paul went through school together, began dating their senior year of high school, and married on July 2, 1955. They shared a love story for the ages and would have celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary earlier this year, save for Paul’s passing a few weeks prior.

As Paul’s career progressed, Elmerina was by his side every step of the way, from his medical school internship at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, to his residency at Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse. They relocated to Washington DC, where Paul worked at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, National Institutes of Health (NIH), and ultimately at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Throughout his career, Elmerina was always his devoted and loving companion.

As a couple, they were interested in the American Studio Glass movement from its earliest days and became very serious collectors. They traveled extensively to meet various artists, attended glass events, exhibitions and shows, and kept wonderfully detailed records of their experiences. The first piece of glass they acquired was in 1969 and the final piece in 2016, illustrating their commitment to art and artists across six decades. Well-known and respected for their contributions to the glass community, Elmerina and Paul donated large portions of their collection and records to the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Corning Museum of Glass. It is not an overstatement to say that their dedication and passion for glass will shed light on Studio Glass artists for generations to come.

Elmerina and Paul were founding members of the James Renwick Alliance, founding members of the Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass, and Fellows at the Corning Museum of Glass.

In Washington, Elmerina served as Chairwoman of the James Renwick Fellowship Committee, President of the James Renwick Alliance, Board Member of the Maryland Crafts Council, Director of Tour Development for the Textile Museum in Washington, DC, and served as a juror for multiple organizations and events. She was an avid museum visitor, as she saw virtually all major art exhibitions from 1960 through 2018, when she and Paul moved to Auburn, NY.

In addition to her interest in the arts, Elmerina was an exceptionally gracious host and a phenomenal cook. In 1988 Elmerina partnered with her sister Norma Leonardi Leone to co-author a cookbook of their mother’s recipes entitled “from Nonnie’s Italian Kitchen”, which went on to have five printings.

Elmerina was predeceased by her parents, her husband Paul and her nieces Christina Leone Cybrinski and Mary Angelina Leonardi. She is survived by siblings Norma Leonardi Leone of Pittsford, NY, Ezio Leonardi of Auburn, NY, Robert (Veronica) Leonardi of Pompano Beach, FL, and Salvatore (Beatrice) Leonardi, Jr. of Weedsport, along with many nieces and nephews, family members and wonderful friends.

A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, November 22, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church, Weedsport. The family will receive friends in the church prior to the Mass at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow at the Weedsport Rural Cemetery, 3037 East Brutus Street Road, Weedsport, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Elmerina’s memory may be made to: Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum, MRC 510 Box 37012, Washington, DC 20013-7012, Attn: Elmerina Parkman Donations, or Corning Museum of Glass, 1 Museum Way, Corning, NY 14830, Attn: Elmerina Parkman Donations, or to the charity of your choice.

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