Lera M. Imburgia, age 94, of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida passed away July 2, 2021. She was born in Waycross, Georgia on May 1, 1927 to the late Paul and Emma Colson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Anthony Imburgia.

Lera is survived by her children: Virginia (Robert) Poynter, Cynthia (Joe Atwell) Friedewald and Priscilla (Nelson) Johnson; grandchildren: Tiffany (Patrick) Polito, John (Beth) McCann, Jr., Don Anthony Friedewald, Tyler (Hunter Rae) Johnson and Bryce (Molly) Johnson and great-grandchildren: Jacob Polito, Gage McCann, Jack McCann, Rhett Johnson, Vivianne Johnson and Penelope Johnson.

Lera, known to many as Madge, was a beloved Wife, Mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to many.

Madge was proud to be the Wife of a career Marine and a Pearl Harbor survivor. She met her husband, Tony, when she was working at Parris Island, South Carolina, where Tony was stationed. Madge and Tony beautifully combined their Southern and Italian heritages. Sundays meant Madge had a pot of Italian spaghetti sauce on the stove, and Tony became a devotee of collard greens and Southern cornbread stuffing, as well as many Southern specialties. Cooking and eating were celebrations in their home. She and her husband, Tony, enjoyed being stationed in Hawaii during the early years of their marriage, as well as Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, and the Reserve Training Center in Miami, Fl. After retiring from the Marines, the couple returned to Miami to raise their family. They subsequently moved to Pembroke Pines, Florida.

Madge was a devoted Wife to Tony, and lovingly cared for him throughout his Alzheimer’s illness. She was an inspiration to her family and many others that witnessed her devotion to him. Madge was delighted to be an honorary grandmother to her neighbors, the Bamford family and their six children. She enjoyed being included in their lives and family celebrations and treasured their friendship. Madge’s daughters will forever be grateful to the Bamford family for enriching her life in so many ways.

She was a true Southern lady, Southern cook, and a gracious hostess. It was her mission to make certain that no one left her table without being sufficiently fed, this included being offered “seconds and thirds”. She was known to say, “Would you like some pie with your cake?” Madge was also an excellent seamstress and made certain her three daughters were suitably outfitted for church, many Easters, proms, and special occasions with the beautiful dresses she sewed. Her daughters will attest to her amazing patience and insistence on perfection in sewing and decorating beautiful Christmas egg ornaments. She believed that if anything was worth doing, it was worth doing right, even if that meant ripping it out and starting over!

Madge delighted in her grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Her three daughters were grateful to have Madge with them when they brought their new babies’ home. She was a reassuring presence and had a great deal of wisdom. She was always ready to help her daughters in any way she could, including coming to their aid whenever it was needed. Madge will be remembered with deep affection and all that knew her were blessed to have had her in their lives.

Graveside Service to be held on Friday, July 9, 2021 at 3:00 PM at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 1500 S. State Road 7, North Lauderdale, Florida 33068.

Services entrusted to Boyd-Panciera Family Funeral Care, 1600 N. University Drive, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33024.