Helen B. Leonard

MORAVIA < Helen B. Leonard, 81, of 24 Aurora St., Moravia, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008, at Auburn Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Leonard was born March 25, 1927, in Auburn, a daughter of the late Willard and Josephine (Arliss) Bennett, and was a lifelong resident of southern Cayuga County. Helen was a devoted homemaker and was affectionally called "Sparky" by her family for many years. She is survived by a son, John (Norma), of Moravia; two daughters, Marie Halicy, of Norwich, and Margaret (David) Nesbit, of Locke; two brothers, Laverne Bennett, of Aurora, and Leslie (Barb) Bennett, of Alabama; two sisters, Marjorie (Albert) Shannon, of Union Springs, and Linda (Glen) Lauster, of Clyde; four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Helen was predeceased by her husband of 50 years, Stanley R. Leonard, on May 29, 1998. Friends may call from noon to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Shurtleff Funeral Home, 10117 Route 90, Genoa. Private funeral services, with her nephew Pastor James Bennett officiating, will follow. Interment will be in East Venice Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the Lupus Foundation of America, 2000 L St. N.W., Suite 710, Washington, D.C. 20036. To send a message to the family, sign our guest book at www.auburnpub.com and click on obituaries.