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Carol Sakowitz LeDonne, 65, of Bradenton, FL, formerly of South Orange, Red Bank, and Little Silver, NJ, died peacefully in her home with her children by her side on Tuesday, April 18, 2017.

Ms. Sakowitz was a newspaper journalist, notably the first full-time female sports writer in the state of NJ. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Montclair State College, Upper Montclair section of Montclair, in 1977. While attending Montclair State College, she was Sports Editor for the Montclarion, Montclair State College’s weekly newspaper. Her first professional job was as a sports writer for the Herald News in Passaic in 1970. She remained at the Herald News in Passaic in various capacities (sports, news, Regional Editor) until 1985. She held a series of jobs dealing with education, environmental remediation, special events, etc. until returning to journalism as a Copy Editor for the Daily Record in Parsippany in 2004. She became the Plus Editor prior to leaving in 2006. She moved to Florida in 2008 to become an assistant editor for the Sun Coast Media Group, Inc. until 2012, during which time she won an award in the 2011 FSNE journalism competition for Business. She always felt a strong sense of responsibility to report fairly and in an unbiased manner. In her words, “I’m part of the free press that guards the rights of U.S. citizens. I have an important responsibility to my fellow Americans. I don’t take that responsibility lightly.”

For the last few years, Ms. Sakowitz worked as an employee at Macy’s while also attending school at the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota in pursuit of her Associate Degree in Science specifically for Accounting Technology, which she earned in 2016.

Throughout her life she was active in numerous volunteer roles, including coaching a NJ high school state championship fencing team, becoming a fencer herself, serving as a North Port representative to the MPO Citizen’s Advisory Committee, and participating in the Model UN while attending school. She was an active member of the North Port Performing Arts Center Corrale. Ms. Sakowitz said that when she sang she was truly happy. She was also passionate about cooking and sewing for her loved ones.

Her husband, John Frank LeDonne, died in October 1993. Surviving is her son, John Philip LeDonne of Ridgewood, NJ; daughter, Michelle LeDonne Collins of Charleston, SC and daughter, Annemarie Claire LeDonne of Bradenton, FL. She is also survived by her granddaughter, Madeleine Rose Collins of Charleston, SC.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit from 2-4 & 7-9 pm Wednesday at the Fiore Funeral Home, 236 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst, Ocean Township. Funeral Mass will be offered at 10 am Thursday at Notre Dame of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Cedar Knolls. Burial will follow at St. Vincent’s Cemetery in Madison. For condolences, please visit www.fiorefuneralhomes.com.