Kathleen Livezey Leonard

Kathleen Livezey Leonard (also affectionately known as "Gramkat"), 86, died at home on July 19, 2025 at the Abbey Delray South retirement community in Delray Beach, FL. She was born in Oklahoma City, OK, on July 6, 1939 to Martha (Taylor) and Dr. William Edmund Livezey. She spent her early years in Norman, OK, where she attended the University School and was a 1957 graduate of Norman High School. She graduated in 1961 from Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature with honors. While at Bryn Mawr, she served as the President of the Interfaith Association. She earned an M.A. in English Literature from Yale University in 1962.

After receiving her degree from Yale, she returned to Norman where later in 1962 she married William Lake Leonard. Two children were born of that marriage: William David Leonard and Elizabeth Lake Leonard. Although their marriage ended in divorce, Kathy and Bill continued to be devoted friends and always worked together as dedicated parents and grandparents. She married David Yanis in 1982 in Great Neck, NY.

While living in Great Neck and on Long Island, she worked as an editorial assistant at The Feminist Press in Old Westbury, NY, and later served as the public relations director for the North Shore Community Arts Center in Great Neck. She also was an active member of Career Services for Women in Long Island, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting women returning to the workplace. She worked in New York City in the 1980's as an administrator in the Public Affairs Department of McGraw Hill and as a career counselor with Potocki Associates.

David Yanis and Kathy moved to Boca Raton, FL in 1996. She remained in South Florida after his death in 2000 for the remainder of her life, moving from Boca Raton to Delray Beach. Kathy was a founding member of JAM & ALL Interfaith (Jews and Muslims & All) that was organized shortly after 9/11. She served on its Board of Directors for 24 years.

Kathy also served as the Treasurer and Member of the Board of Directors of The Barrton Apartments in Delray Beach. In 2016, she moved to the Abbey Delray South retirement community, where she met her cherished partner, Kenneth J. Damian. She also served three years as Chair of the Foundation Advisory Committee for the Lifespace Foundation at Abbey Delray South.

She is survived by: her partner, Kenneth J. Damian; her former husband, William Lake Leonard, and her two children, William David Leonard and Elizabeth Leonard Schmidt (Paul); her two grandchildren, Eva Grace Leonard and Lucienne Elizabeth Leonard, and their mother, Dr. Judith Dougan; two sisters, Dr. Wilberta Donovan and Lorinda Livezey (Will Orvedal), and two nieces, Joanna D. Quattrucci (Albert) and Dawn D. Dulski (James). Her parents and sister, Elnora Beth Livezey, predeceased her.

A Celebration of Life Services will be held on Sunday, August 24th, from 1pm - 4pm at Abbey Delray South. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to JAM & ALL Interfaith, Temple Adath Or (TAO) or the Lifespace Foundation at Abbey Delray South.