Marcella Leone: Carving Out Space for Herself

Marcella Leone moves around a lot. She has lived in a variety of cities during her lifetime-Boston, MA,  Memphis, TN,  New London, CT, Cincinnati, OH, and Jacksonville, WY, before finally landing in Woonsocket in 2003, newly single at the age of fifty-three.

"It came as a huge surprise," she says of her sudden single-status. "My husband and I were married for more than half of my life."

While she is used to living in a variety of communities and integrating herself with the assorted different cultures that are a part of each region, she likes to keep her immediate surroundings consistent.

"I guess you'd say I'm an expert at creating beauty in small spaces," she said.

"We all need a little space where we can just breathe, you know? I like to create little getaways for myself right in my own home," she said.

She finds this is even more important as a single woman.

"I think women in particular forget to take time for themselves, to find a place where they can just be. We get caught up in the daily routines, yet when those routines are disrupted, we struggle. We need a spot to reflect, mostly."

After her divorce she found the need for peace and reflection to be even more intense.

"Life is difficult when you're used to having a partner and suddenly that's gone," she said. "It becomes crucial to look after yourself, to take care of yourself- and I find a great way to do that is to carve out a quiet little physical space for yourself."

She had always done this, adorning her front stoop with exotic orchids or putting rocking chair in a 3x3 foot patch of grass, like she did when she lived in the heart of Memphis.

"You've got to do what you can." she said.

She is particularly attached to the porch she has acquired living in Woonsocket.

"With these Victorian houses and their open porches you have a ready made spot to make your own," she said happily.

Leone's second floor porch, overlooking the river, is currently adorned with large hanging plants and Adirondack chairs. Because this particular porch provides enough space, she keeps four chairs out at all times.

 "It invites company, people feel comfortable if there's a spot for them. That's the whole point, really."