Henrietta Leary

Henrietta Joanne (Visconti) Leary, a resident of Chappaqua, NY, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on February 7, 2025, at the St. John’s Riverside Hospital at the age of 83 years old.

Henrietta is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, John Leary, her beloved daughter Kimberly Ann Leary, her son-in-law Alan Poppe, and grandson Colton, of whom she was incredibly proud. She will be forever missed by her beloved aunt, Lena Silano, uncle John (Jack) Gasko, and brother-in-law, John J. Lutcza, Sr. She loved her nephews, John Henry Lutcza and Micheal Gasko, like her own sons, and cherished their families, Christina (Ferrari) Lutcza, Gianna Marie Lutcza, Mia Bella Lutcza, and Madison and Grace Gasko. She will be remembered lovingly by many cousins and other family and friends.

Henrietta is predeceased by her parents, the late Henry and Antoinette (Silano) Visconti, beloved aunt Marie (Silano) Gasko, who she considered a sister, and sister Phyllis Faith (Visconti) Lutcza, who was her very best friend.

Henrietta was a graduate of Eastchester High School, class of 1959. She went onto Hunter College, where she acquired her Batchelor's Degree in English and Master’s Degree in Education in 1963. Henrietta put her heart and soul into teaching her students in the Dobbs Ferry School District as an elementary school teacher, specializing in 3rd and 5thgrades at Springhurst Elementary School.

She was an avid reader and life long learner, surrounding herself with books, and always studying to learn something new. She was passionate about cooking for her loved ones, collecting recipes, cook books, cooking magazines, and beautiful serving pieces to serve her lovingly created dishes to her family. Most of all, she loved her family dearly. She lived a virtuous and faithful life, gave generously, and treated everyone with compassion and kindness.

Her family will receive friends on Friday, February 14th from 2-4 & 7-9pm at the Ballard-Durand Funeral Home, 2 Maple Avenue, White Plains, NY 10601. A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, February 15th at 10:30AM in the Kensico Cemetery, 273 Lakeview Avenue, Valhalla, NY 10595. To offer a message of condolence or share a fond memory, please visit: www.BallardDurand.com