Joanne Christine Leonard

FORSYTH TOWNSHIP, MI - Joanne Christine Leonard, age 79, of Gwinn, passed away peacefully at home Tuesday Morning, October 14, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family and caregivers at UP Home Health and Hospice.
Born on September 29, 1946 in Marquette, the second child of Arthur and Dorothy (Nesbitt) Neault, Joanne was raised in Marquette. Joanne attended St. John's School and Graveraet High School, in which she was proud to be part of the school's final graduating class in 1964. While at the Tip Top Cafe with her girlfriends she met her first husband Dwayne M Dulaney who was stationed at KI Sawyer Air Force Base. They married shortly after graduation and together they had three children.
Joanne spent her early years as a homemaker, raising her children. In her later years, she worked in the catalog department at Sears Roebuck before taking a retail position at Shopko, where she worked for several years. After twenty years together Joanne and Dwayne parted ways but remained friends. In the spring of 1986 Joanne met the love of her life Thomas C. Leonard Sr of Ishpeming. After a whirlwind romance, they married on January 30, 1987. Between the two of them they shared nine children and had a happy and fulfilling life together until his passing on December 15, 2017.
Joanne found joy in the simple pleasures of life with Tom. Taking long scenic drives around the Upper Peninsula, visiting with the children and grandchildren, taking long walks around Presque Isle, casino hopping, playing cards with friends and coffee clutching. she also cherished her beloved dogs. Joanne had a special way of always being well put together, with a natural elegance, whether staying in or going out. Above all, she was a kind, thoughtful, devoted mother, grandmother and friend.
She is survived by her children: Kathy (Doug Gentz) Conrad of Marquette, Dwayne (Angie) Dulaney of Newberry, and Cheri (Mike) Sanderson of Gwinn, Tom (Caroline) Leonard, Leta (Kim) MacLean, Steve Leonard, Nadine (Anthony) Blixt, Marlene (Scott) Manty, and Matt (Kristi) Leonard.
Joanne was a proud grandmother to Angela, Alison and Alexis, Samantha and Bradley, Ashlee, Kelly and Kaylee, Thomas, Abigail and Victoria, Isabel and Ian, Joe and Jake, Sarah and Isabelle, Steven, Luke and Dennis. She was also blessed with great-grandchildren: Preston, Blake, Holden, Norah, Keilan, Milani, Taylor, Hailey, Brady, Spencer, and Corbin.
She is also survived by her brother Richard (Valerie) Neault, best friend Wanda Davis, her cherished dog Mia, several cousins and many nieces and nephews.
Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Thomas, her brother Kenneth (Marie) Neault, and great-grandchild Elliot White.
Honoring Joanne's request, no public services will be held.
The family would like to thank the staff at UP Home Health and Hospice for their exceptional care.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to UP Home Health and Hospice, 1125 West Ridge Street, Marquette, MI 49855. The Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com