Pine Islanders mark passing of Leoma Lovegrove
The community of Matlacha is remembering legendary artist and islander extraordinaire Leoma Lovegrove.
Lovegrove, 72, died April 10 with her husband, Mike Silberg, at her side.
She was diagnosed with and had battled Stage 4 breast cancer since 2018 but the disease neither defined or deterred her: She often employed her art, using it to promote awareness and early detection.
Close friend and fellow Matlacha business owner, Chardayne Seuffert, speaking affectionately of Lovegrove said, “she chose to live,” in the midst of her years-long battle, never complaining or relenting.
While recognized for her colorful and easily distinguishable paintings as well as a featured fashion and products line at Bealls, Lovegrove will be most remembered on the island she loved for her tremendous generosity, even in the face of disaster in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.
She lost her gallery and their home in Matlacha in the Category 4 storm that made landfall on Cayo Costa.
“She gave her boots away — she gave her glasses away — she was very kind. A lot of people will never know how kind she was, because she never put that stuff out there for recognition. Her heart was always Matlacha, always,” Seuffert said, adding that Lovegrove was an avid angler, taking every chance she had to fish.
CW Fudge factory owner William Tidball emphasized Lovegrove’s abundant love for Matlacha, saying she had been a staple in the community for as long as he has been her business-neighbor and friend.
“Everything she did was what she felt was best for Matlacha. Once she knew you and she knew that you also loved Matlacha, she loved you as well. She’s always done everything possible to promote Pine Island and Matlacha,” Tidball said.
When Tidball arrived at his business in Matlacha, it was Lovegrove who explained much of how things worked for businesses on Pine Island, explaining the on and off season aspects. He said he also gave much thought to the fact that Lovegrove’s work was tangible evidence of her ability to touch those who lived with her work throughout the globe.
“She showed me nothing but goodness. She did anything to help anyone succeed in business in Matlacha. She was a great person. She would buy candy and donate it anonymously to folks. I have the deepest respect for her as a person and a business owner. I don’t think she’ll ever know how much she touched people. She will truly and sadly be missed,” Tidball said.
Bert’s Bar and Grill and Bert’s Pine Gallery owner Bernard Johnson said he was deeply saddened by friend and fellow Matlacha business owner Lovegrove’s death.
‘What a shock it was when I first heard. I was aware that she wasn’t well, but we all have our ups and downs and she’s had some rough ones. What I can say is as far as Matlacha, she really brought a lot of the love of art in Matlacha and she really brought a lot of people to her store. Her waterways and sunsets are everything. It was game-changing–what she did for Matlacha and what people got out of art. For decades, we did business together–probably at least 20 years,” Johnson said.
He also described her husband, Mike Silberg, as a wonderful person, commenting on how well the couple complemented one another in life, in events and in their relationship.
“I can’t tell you how many places I’ve been in the country where I’ve seen her work–a Leoma shirt. It’s amazing. Sometimes I would take down people’s numbers and she (Leoma) would talk to them–she kept in touch with so many people,” Johnson said.
The community is invited to attend a celebration of life 2 p.m. April 28 at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre. For planning purposes, RSVP’s are kindly requested by Wednesday, April 23, at https://www.eventbrite.com/…/leoma-lovegrove…
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made on Leoma’s behalf at www.collaboratory.org/LeomaLovegrove