Ione E. Liska of 4A Jonquil Ct., Orange City, FL, died on Mar. 10 after a brief illness. Ione is survived by her loving husband of 71 years, Frank J. Liska, and by her daughter, Andrea L. Finkle (David), and her grandchildren, Christopher and Alexandra Finkle.

Ione grew up primarily in the Chicago area. She, however, spent a good portion of her adult life in Florida, a place she came to because her husband loved it. She was a true trailblazer. Born on Oct.5, 1934, she had a desire to be a lawyer. In 1978, that desire became a reality when she graduated from John Marshall Law School in Chicago. She passed both the Illinois Bar and the Florida Bar. Her husband’s work, however, and her mother’s care, meant she never got to open a practice. In addition to being a lawyer, Ione was a teacher. She taught high school English in Chicago, and then later in Plantation. She was her daughter’s 11th grade English teacher.

Ione was a leader wherever she went. In Lincolnwood, IL in the 70’s, she was an American Cancer Society Chair. She became the President of three different HOA’s during the times she lived in Plantation, FL, Jacksonville, FL, and DeLand, FL. Her leadership talents came with her to John Knox Village where she became a part of the FLCCRA board.

Ione enjoyed travel and cruising. She and Frank spent hundreds of days happily sailing to Hawaii, the Mediterranean, the Amazon, Australia/New Zealand, and multiple trips to the Caribbean Islands.

She loved nature and gardening. She became an active member of the DeLand Garden Club when she and Frank retired to DeLand to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren.

She loved learning, books, and cats. She will be deeply missed.