A loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and dear friend to all who knew her, Naomi Leonardy Acardo departed this earthly life and met her Heavenly Father on January 19, 2016 with her children at her side. She was 95, and a resident of Denham Springs. She was a retiree from Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Plant. Naomi was a native of St. Augustine, Florida. She was very proud of her family history and that she was born in "the oldest city in America." She graduated from New Smyrna Beach High School in 1938. Her seashell garden was always a reminder of her home state. There was only one love strong enough to turn her into a Louisiana girl, and that was her "darling Joe." Their love story began while he was stationed in the Coast Guard in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. He married his bride in 1943 and eventually brought her home to Louisiana where they raised their family and shared a love that is eternal. She loved to cook, garden, dance, and play piano. In the past 3 years, her favorite things included her dear friends and caregivers at La Plantation Retirement Community and the time they shared talking, laughing, working puzzles and playing Bingo. She is survived by her daughter, Sandy Acardo; son, Ray Acardo; son-in-law, Presley Hutchinson; daughter-in-law, Jamie Acardo; four grandchildren: Christopher McCann and wife Emily; Leanne Brown and husband Brandon; Mandy McCann; and Anthony Acardo; four great-grandchildren: Olivia McCann, Sara McCann, Caleb Brown, and Carter Brown; nephews Lloyd Hetrick and Jon Leonardy; niece/goddaughter Claudia Sheppard; and niece Lisa Francis. She was a member of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church and the Holy Name Society. She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 66 years, Joseph Henry Acardo; son, Richard Joseph Acardo; mother, Sadie Usina Leonardy; father, Fernando Raymond Leonardy; and brother, Fernando Raymond Leonardy, Jr. A special thanks to all the loving caregivers at La Plantation Retirement Community and Griswold Home Care. Visiting will be at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St, Baton Rouge, on Thursday, January 21st from 5:00-8:00 pm with the rosary at 7:00 pm. Visiting continues at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, 445 Marquette Ave. at 12:30 pm Friday, January 22nd followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 1:30 pm, with the Rev. Michael J. Schatzle, celebrant. Interment at Resthaven Gardens of Memory, 11817 Jefferson Hwy.

Published in TheAdvocate.com from Jan. 20 to Jan. 22, 2016