Mary Leonard passed away in Woodstock, Georgia on January 20, 2024. She had recently celebrated her 90th birthday.

She was born on December 12, 1933 in Long Island City, New York. She was the oldest of Sheila and Daniel Hayes, who were recent immigrants from Ireland. Mary grew up in Astoria, New York.

On June 12, 1954, she married Robert Leonard at our Lady of Mount Carmel in Long Island City. In 1960, they moved their family to East Northport, Long Island, where they raised their four children, Linda, Lisa, Mary Jean, and Robert. Mary was a housewife, caring for a family of four, until she took a librarian position at the State University of Stony Brook. On retiring, Mary and Bob moved to Hilton Head, South Carolina. When Bob passed away, she moved to Woodstock to be closer to her daughter Lisa.

Mary was described by everyone who knew her as a sweet person. She was incredibly beautiful as a young woman. Family lore includes a story of an agent approaching Mary at a New York City restaurant, asking if she was interested in an acting career. She was not interested, and said no thank you.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Bob, her son Robert, and her grandson Justin Gilson. She is survived by her daughters, Lisa Powell, Mary Jean Comeau, and Linda Francescone, her sons-in-law, Gary Comeau and Michael Francescone, and grandchildren, Kelly Gilson, Ryan Gilson, Caitlin Comeau, Liam Comeau, Lauren Francescone, and James Francescone. She is also survived by her sister, Sheila Casaburi and brother, Daniel P. Hayes.

A private ceremony will be held by the family.