Mary Eleanor Leonard

Mary Eleanor Leonard – Loving Wife, Mother, and Grandmother

Mary Eleanor Leonard, 84, passed from life on May 28, 2024, in her home in Cumming, Georgia from a sudden cardiac arrest.

Family and friends may call at the McDonald and Son Funeral Home, 150 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, Georgia 30040 from 5 to 8 pm, Wednesday June 12. Funeral services will be held at 11 am at St. Brendan’s Catholic Church on Thursday June 13 followed by a brief reception. Columbarium services will take place at 12 noon at St. Brendan’s Catholic Church.

Mary was born on November 17, 1939, as the third of three daughters to William and Dorothea (O’Neill) Heath in Albany, New York. Mary graduated from the College of St. Rose and received a Master of Education degree from Georgia State University. Mary taught elementary education in New York for 3 years followed by an addition 17 years teaching first grade at Knollwood Elementary in Dekalb County, Georgia.

On June 29, 1963, Mary married William Anthony Leonard at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church in Albany, New York. They parented 4 children: Jeffrey (Barbara) of Cumming, Georgia; David (Lisa) of Dacula, Georgia; Michael (Sharon) of Jacksonville, Florida; and Daniel (Charlene) of Brentwood, Tennessee. Mary was also the proud grandmother of 12 grandchildren: Megan, Joey, Sean, Ryan, Chris, Will, John, Kevin, Liam, Mary Kate, Andrew, and Anna.

Mary’s true love was supporting her husband, children, and grandchildren. She tirelessly supported their academic and athletic pursuits. Some of Mary’s proudest moments were when she supported her family at their baseball fields, tennis courts, football fields, basketball courts, lacrosse fields, swimming pools, track and field events, softball fields, and scouting activities. She was there for nearly every event and most proudly at nearly every high school and college graduation.

Mary was also an accomplished tennis player winning several city tennis championships. Additionally, she coached her son and his teammates to numerous youth city tennis championships.

In her spare time Mary was a brilliant artist. She won the Albany city wide Alice in Wonderland art contest. Walt Disney presented Mary one of his original drawings as the prize. Mary was an active member of the Sherlock Holmes Club of Atlanta and served a term as its vice president. Mary loved playing bridge and treasured the time she spent with her many bridge partners and competitors.

Mary also enjoyed volunteering at Northside Hospital for 15 years.

Condolences may be made at mcdonaldandson.com/obituaries/mary-leonard-2024