Mary Ellen Leonard

Mary Ellen Leonard
Mary Ellen, a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend to many, passed away on Saturday, June 5, 2021 surrounded by her family at Stamford Hospital after a hard fought battle with cancer. Mary Ellen was born in Queens, NY on February 23, 1952 to the late Stuart and Helen (Taylor) Baker. She was 69 years old at the time of her passing.
Mary Ellen attended St. Vincent Ferrer High School in New York City, then went on to the University of Bridgeport where she received a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. While Mary Ellen was raising her children she was active in the community and in their activities. She served as the President of the Fairfield-New Haven SIDS chapter in the late 80's and as President of Stamford Youth Hockey in the 90's. She was employed as a unit coordinator at Stamford Hospital for 41 years until she retired from the surgical unit due to her illness. She taught three and four year olds as a preschool teacher for 30 years working in Stamford at First United Methodist, Stamford Museum and Nature Center, and Hubbard Heights preschools. She worked up until December 2020. Mary Ellen's passion was working with and helping people, both of which she was able to do at the hospital and at schools.
Mary Ellen is survived by her beloved husband of 48 years, Edward F. Leonard; her children, Timothy M. Leonard (Trini), Craig M. Leonard (Denisa), and Kerry M. Hamara (John); her grandchildren: Patrick and Andrew Leonard, Nicholas Leonard, and Connor and Taylor Hamara; and her sisters-in-law, Jean Ann and Kathy Leonard.
In addition to her parents, Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her infant son, Kenneth M. Leonard.
Mary Ellen enjoyed hosting family and friends, especially on Christmas or over the summer for a game of pool volleyball. What Mary Ellen lacked in siblings she made up for in friends, many of whom she considered to be family. She loved being a mother and became a second mother to many over the years. Her most favorite role, however, was being "Mimi" to her five grandchildren. She spent her free time on the sidelines of their activities, playing golf, reading, and traveling with friends and family.
A Mass of Christian burial will take place on Monday, June 14, 2021 at 10 a.m. at St. Leo R.C. Church, 24 Roxbury Road, Stamford, CT 06902. The interment will immediately follow Mass at Fairfield Memorial Park in Stamford.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mary Ellen's name to Saint Catherine Center for Special Needs, 760 Tahmore Drive, Fairfield, CT 06825 (www.stcatherinecenter.org).
The Leonard family wishes to acknowledge and thank the staff of Stamford Hospital for their professionalism, compassion, and tender loving care provided to Mary Ellen during her many visits and inpatient admissions over these past six months. The family would like to extend a special thank you to her friends and staff of her 10th floor and the ICU who cared for her in her last remaining days.
To leave online condolences, please visit www.Cognetta.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NicholasFCognettaFuneralHomeCrematory.