Leona Dow Maciel of Zephyr Hills, Fla., and formerly of Vineyard Haven, died on Wednesday, April 15, in the Heartland Nursing Home in Zephyr Hills after a brief illness. She was 84.

Lee, as she was known to her family and many friends, was born Leona Maxine Dow in Highgate Falls, Vt., the daughter of Benjamin and Mae Dow. She was raised by her stepfather, Corliss B. Centabar.

Lee attended State Teachers College in Johnson, Vt., then went on to graduate from Boston University with a bachelor of science degree in education in 1948. During her school years at B.U. she heard of the opportunity to teach on Martha’s Vineyard. The then-superintendent of schools Harold Lord was in Boston recruiting teachers, advising prospective female teachers that there were plenty of good men on the Island. In 1948, Lee came to the Vineyard and went to work at the Tisbury School teaching remedial reading. She worked at the Tisbury School until 1952. During this time she met James Maciel, a young plumber working for his brother. They were married Feb. 21, 1953.

Lee then became a full-time mother to her sons Neal J. Maciel and Corliss (Corly) R. Maciel, both of Vineyard Haven. Eventually she became the bookkeeper for her husband’s plumbing business when he went out on his own. She later stayed on and worked for her son Corly after he took over the family business. Lee retired to Zephyr Hills, Fla., with her husband full-time in 1992, making many return trips to the Vineyard to visit family and friends.

Lee loved to knit and even more enjoyed teaching someone to knit. She also loved bird-watching; her favorite was the cardinal.

She leaves many close friends including Bob and Louise Yapp, Stanley and Mary Marshall of Tisbury and Catherine (Enos) Griffin of Falmouth.

She is survived by her husband, James, her sons, Neal and Corly, her daughter in law, Marilyn, and her grandsons, Curtis and Denver Maciel. She was predeceased by her grandson Michael James Maciel. She is also survived by her cousins, Helen Montgomery of Richford, Vt., and Anna Stevens of East Derry, N.H.

A memorial service on the Vineyard will be organized late summer or early fall, with notice given in the Gazette.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Lee's memory may be sent to a charity or organization of one's choice.