Obituary of Elizabeth J. Leonard

LEONARD, Elizabeth (Betty) J., 90, of St. Petersburg, FL, moved on to her reward for a faith-filled life on May 21, 2020, with her loving family by her side. She was born and raised in NY, NY. In 1989, Betty relocated to St. Petersburg, where she joined Holy Family Catholic Church and served as a Eucharistic Minister.

Betty was a wonderful mother and friend: caring, funny, and smart as a whip. She was an avid gardener, baker, hat and slipper knitter, jam and pickle maker, crossword puzzle master, line and Zumba dancer, even a boxer in her 80s, pummeling Parkinson’s Disease (PD) before taking on a two-year fight against pancreatic cancer. Betty’s gentleness belied her strength. She was, as her radiation oncologist called her, a superhero, not only in her fight against PD and cancer, but in her commitment to being an example of patience, kindness, and compassion for everyone, including those she leaves behind: her five living children, Mary Elizabeth Boccardi (husband Dennis, Sr.), Jane Leonard Jeffries, John Leonard, James Leonard (wife Betsy), and Marguerite Leonard; her ten grandchildren, Alicia, Nancy, Megan, Dennis, Jr., and Devin Boccardi, Kristen Leigh Leonard Jeffries, Peter Leonard, Kaitlyn and Thomas Leonard, Jr., and John Leonard, Jr.; her great grandchildren, Dennis III, Madeline, and James Boccardi; her brother-in-law, Gerard Cain; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Betty was preceded in death by her son, Thomas Leonard (survived by wife Marguerite), and her sister, Margaret Cain. 

In lieu of flowers, please support the following organizations: Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research (www.lustgarten.org) and The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (www.michaeljfox.org).

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a memorial celebration of Betty’s life will be held at a later date.