Mary Leader

FUNERAL SERVICE: Friday November 21, 2025, 10:00 AM at North Atlanta Memorial Park.

SHIVA: The family will be receiving guests immediately following the service at the Hilton Atlanta Northeast Hotel, 5993 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092
OBITUARY
Mary Wool Leader, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and dedicated therapist and nurse, passed away on November 18, 2025, peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family. She was born on May 5, 1936, in Bronx, New York, to Barbara (Cohen) and Ruben Wool.

Mary attended the Bellevue School of Nursing in New York City, where her beloved Edward Leader, a medical student at NYU, who predeceased her in 2024, fell madly in love with her and married her almost immediately. Together they built a life marked by devotion, adventure, and service. When Edward was drafted into the United States Army, Mary embraced their family's move to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, where they lived from 1966 to 1968. She greeted each stage of life with resilience, determination, and an unwavering commitment to her family. Over the course of her education, she completed an R.N. at Bellevue, a B.S. in Biology at Oglethorpe University, and both a Master's and Ph.D. at Georgia State University.

Mary will be remembered for her 67 years of devoted marriage to Edward Leader, M.D., her deep faith in God, her observance of Jewish traditions, her meaningful conversations and wise guidance, and the many ways she expressed care through her hands, which included knitting beautiful sweaters, sewing matching outfits and baby blankets, and even repairing appliances and cars. Her nursing skills and her calm, commanding presence during moments of crisis made her a source of strength and reassurance to all who depended on her.

A woman of intelligence, humor, and profound inner strength, Mary created a home where curiosity was encouraged, individuality was honored, and love was steadfast. She offered support and wisdom generously, leaving a lasting imprint on family, friends, colleagues, and all who were fortunate to know her. In 2010, she was joyfully reunited with her half-brother Jack Wool, his wife Laura and their three children.

Mary is survived by her siblings Carl Golub; Martin Rosenberg; Jack and Laura Wool; and Steven and Pamela Wool, and close friend Marla Netzel. She is also survived by her children David and Susan Leader, Barbara and Barry Nicolaou, Jane and Marc Ripps, and Ivy Leader and husband Ben Newton. Mary was the cherished grandmother of Jessica and David Fortin; Andrew Leader and wife Gillian Wallace; Allison Leader and husband Nick Zylkuski; Julie and Todd Orlansky; Frances Newton and husband Spenser Gould; Crow Newton; and Dorothy Ripps. She also delighted in her great-grandchildren Natalie, Teddy, Miles, Ilya, and Lincoln, each of whom brought her immense joy. Her beloved nieces and nephews include Robert and Arianne Golub, Adam Rosenberg, Karen and Eric Menzie, Midori Gail, Joel Wool and wife Rabbi Laura Bellows, and Clara Rose. Thank you to the wholehearted devotion of many caretakers who considered Mary to be like a mother figure with a similar nursing background.

Mary's legacy endures in the generations she nurtured, the traditions she upheld, and the love and wisdom she shared so generously throughout her long and meaningful life.

The family is asking for donations to be made to the Chabad Enrichment Center of Gwinnett, https://www.chabadofgwinnett.org/templates/donate_cdo/aid/4970020/jewish/Donate.htm