Leighanne Boni

Leighanne Boni, “The Most Beautiful Person I Have Ever Known,” passed away on July 3, 2025, after a two-and-a-half-year battle with dementia. Leighanne was born Feb 6, 1966, in Auburn, New York, she was the daughter of Dick and Kitty Boni. 

Leighanne received early education at the Gavras Center and graduated high school through the BOCES program in 1987. She then worked at the Seneca ARC workshop, which she absolutely loved. She was very proud of earning her “Big Fat Paycheck.” Throughout her life she participated in many activities some of which were Camp Columbus, where she learned how to swim. As well as Special Olympics for bowling, bocce and track. Her passions were singing, dancing, and acting. She loved being in plays and going to Fame and Spotlight Studio. As a young girl she took dance lessons from Betty Weeks with her lifelong best friend, Kate Vetrano.

She was part of a loving family who took her everywhere. Leighanne traveled back and forth to Florida and visited 48 states! She was a true music lover and had an extensive CD collection. She got to see her favorite singer Dolly Parton twice and Dolly even dedicated two songs to her “special friend Leighanne.” Her special talent was dancing. You could not keep her off a dance floor. She loved to picture herself on stage with her “famous Thommie Walsh.”

Leighanne was loved by all who knew her. All her cousins claim to be her “favorite cousin.” She will be missed by all.

She was predeceased by her parents; paternal grandmother Rose Boni Pesegi; maternal grandparents John and Florence Cregg; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. 

She is survived by her sister Kee Murphy (Kevin Ryan) of Auburn; sister Laura Lesch of Juno Beach, FL; brother Richard Boni (Sandra Loli) of Skaneateles; as well as nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to join the family for a Mass of Christian Burial to be offered Friday, July 11, at 10:00am in Sacred Heart Church. Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Calling Hours for Leighanne will be conducted Thursday, July 10, 2025 from 4:00 to 6:00pm in the White Chapel Funeral Home Inc., 197 South Street, Auburn.

Contributions may be made in Leighanne’s memory to Mozaic, the E. John Gavras Center or the Alzheimer’s Association.

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