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MARY JANE LEONARD
1921 - 2013
Mary Jane Leonard, 91, of Pensacola, went to be with the Lord, Monday, March 04, 2013.
Mrs. Leonard was born July 09, 1921 in Moline, Illinois to Paul Kreko and Justinia Nagy Kreko. She received her Bachelor's Degree from LSU and then her Master's Degree in Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Mrs. Leonard married Reid H. Leonard and moved to Pensacola in 1947. Upon moving to Pensacola, she began working at Sacred Heart Hospital on 12th Avenue as a technician and then went on to work for the Escambia General Hospital and Baptist Hospital.
Mrs. Leonard was the Principal of East Hill Christian School for fifteen years. She was a member of East Hill Baptist Church, where she taught sixth and seventh grade Sunday School for forty years. Mrs. Leonard was also a very active member in the Women's Missionary Union.
She is survived by her husband, Dr. Reid H. Leonard of Pensacola; sons, Leland Leonard of Pensacola, Paul Leonard of Galveston, TX and Dalton Leonard of Marietta, GA; brothers, James Kreko of Louisville, KY and Franklin Kreko of Hammond, LA; grandchildren, Courtney Leonard Lyons of Houston, TX, Abigail Leonard of Athens, GA and Olivia Leonard of Marietta, GA.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, March 08, 2013 at East Hill Baptist Church with Dr. Ron Wilcoxson and Rev. Jim Burkhardt officiating.
Entombment will follow at Bayview Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m., Friday at the church.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to East Hill Baptist Church, 3960 Spanish Trail, Pensacola, FL 32504.
Arrangements have been entrusted with BAYVIEW FISHER-POU CHAPEL, 3351 Scenic Highway.
Condolences may be offered at www.bayviewfisher-pouchapel.com.
Express your condolences in our guestbook at pnj.com/obits
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Hello, my name is Paul Leonard. I am Mary Jane's middle son.
My Mother taught me the importance of looking for Beauty in life. I can remember her driving us boys home after Church every Sunday and pointing out the colorful dogwood, tulip trees, and azalea's in full color bloom.
After high school I pursued a venture into live music performance and my Mother always supported me. And when I decided that I needed to change direction my Mother was there again to hold me up in my higher education. To this day I have never stopped educating myself. And to this day, I am proud to say I am an avid reader.
In closing I would like to say that my Mother had something that many people in their life will never have. It is called Dignity. People have Tolerance, Respect, and Humility, but Dignity is hard to come by. My mother had a whole lot of dignity!
Thank you Mom, for raising me in a dignified way.
I love you.
Paul Leonard
March 12, 2013
For those of you who don't know me, I'm Courtney Elaine Leonard Lyons, or Courtney as Grandma called me. I'm the eldest granddaughter of Reid and Mary Jane's 3 grandchildren. My parents are Paul and Shirley. Paul is the middle son.
I spent most of my childhood summers visiting Florida. I believe it was 8 or 9 years total. I'll never forget all the wonderful summers I was able to spend with Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Leland. Each summer began with a lunch date in Baton Rouge where my parents would meet Grandma and Grandpa at Cracker Barrel and the adventure would begin then.
I'll always remember the activities Grandma and I did together. Whether it was swimming practice and competitions, shopping, or lessons of some sort, Grandma was always encouraging me to do my best. I will also remember preparing for Sunday morning with flowers that Grandpa cut for her to wear to church and carrying her Sunday basket or watching her prepare Saturday nights for the 6th grade Sunday school and VBS classes she taught. I vividly remember the knick-knacks that Uncle Leland would make for her VBS class whether it was adjustable book holders, plaques, or picture frames which she would carefully build her lesson plans around.
I loved to sit and talk with Grandma about anything and everything under the Sun. We would look over old photographs and I would listen to stories of her childhood or stories of my dad growing up. Sometimes we would cross-stitch or hand sew together. Other times we would bake and Grandma would teach me the special tricks of getting her fudge just right or when to pull cakes and cookies out of the oven at just the right time to get the perfect golden brown bottoms. Grandma also taught me the tricks of how to make her delicious Hungarian pancakes and Hawaiian Spareribs.
Most of all, I'll never forget the summer mornings waking up at Grandma's house and walking into the kitchen to see Grandma unloading the dishwasher and looking up to see the huge rainbows on the ceiling from her crystal porcupine sitting on the breakfast table. We would always look for the biggest prism and the one that went the farthest. Usually, we would be able to find one that stretched from the kitchen through the dining room and a lone prism on the far side of the living room. I'll also always remember the countless nights at the kitchen table reciting the books of the bible together while preparing the charts for her Sunday school class.
I loved Grandma very much and will cherish her with all my heart. Each time I see a prism I'll remember Grandma and know that while she may no longer be with us in flesh she will always be in our hearts.
Courtney Leonard
March 12, 2013
Although it has been over 30 years since I was a student at East Hill Christian School, I shall always remember Mrs. Leonard. She was ever gracious, kind and loving. While I mourn her passing, I wish her family and friends to know how deeply she impacted so many of us. She will forever remain my favorite principal and dear friend.
Jonathan Blaine John
March 11, 2013
Mrs. Leonard was the principal at East Hill Christian School when my daughters started there and she hired me right before she retired. She was such a gracious lady and did so much for the school. My prayers are with her family.
Patsy Hamilton
March 11, 2013
Mary Jane's life was a gift of love and encouragement to us all!
Susan Kreko
March 8, 2013
Susan Kreko
March 8, 2013
Susan Kreko
March 8, 2013
My thoughts go to the Leonard family during this stime. Mrs. Leonard was a patient, kind and caring lady. She was a wonderful school administrator. My son attended East Hill Christian during her years there. I willl always have fond memories of her.
Sharon Flowers
March 8, 2013
Mrs.Leonard and Mrs.Eiland are the reasons that I became a teacher. They gave me so much of themslves when they taught. Even though it has been many many years since my East Hill Christian days Mrs.Leonard always called me by name when we happened to see each other. She is a very special lady and the Lord has an awesome angel at his side. She will always hold a special place in my heart.
Susan Cleaveland Ramirez
March 8, 2013
Mrs.Leonard and Mrs.Eiland are the reasons I became a teacher. They gave so much of themselves to us while helping us learn that I wanted to do the same. Even though it has been many many years since my days at East Hill Christian School she would always remember me by name when we would run into each other. She is a very special part of my youth and the Lord has an awesome angel with him now!
March 8, 2013
Mrs. Leonard is one of the brightest memories from my childhood at East Hill Christian School. She was so kind and such a lady. Heaven got another precious angel this week. The Leonard family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Tiffany Bates
March 7, 2013
Mrs. Leonard blessed East Hill Christian School for 15 years as Principal. What a wonderful woman! Even upon retirement, she continued to pray, share her wisdom, and support the school. Our condolences to to her family. Thank you for sharing her with us all those years. We are better for it.
Much love, East Hill Christian School Faculty, Staff, Board of Trustees, Students and Alumni
March 7, 2013
Mrs. Leonard was my Sunday School teacher at East Hill Baptist about 40 years ago, and I loved her very dearly! She was a woman full of grace and God's love. May the Lord comfort you with the loss of your dear loved one! (Jack & Jennilee Rogers' daughter)
Brenda Whiteford
March 7, 2013
Mrs. Leonard was such a wonderful principal at East Hill Christian. I can still see her walking around those halls when I was just a little girl. Rest in peace Mrs Leonard.
Melanie Brock
March 7, 2013
Mrs. Leonard was a wonderful Christian woman who will be sorely missed. She taught Sunday School classes to both of our sons and had an impact on both of their lives. Thank you, Mrs. Leonard.
Gerald and Audrey Morrison
March 6, 2013
A kinder gentler soul has never graced the world. The world is diminished by her passing.
Michael Peters
March 6, 2013
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