Beth Leonard

LEONARD -- Beth, was born June 12, 1916, and died peacefully Sunday, June 11, 2006, just a few hours before reaching her ninetieth birthday. Mom was raised in Weatherford, OK, by her grandparents and attended Stephens College, Northwestern and Oklahoma Universities. She taught for a year and then married her college sweetheart, E.C. Leonard, whom she loved and encouraged until his death in 1985. This is what she loved: being with her children; singing in the Boston Avenue Choir and finding community in the Wesley Fellowship Class; discussing plays with the Shakespearean Society; co-founding The Pie Society with Dorothy Nielsen and Marie Cantrell; making recordings for the blind; listening to the Metropolitan Opera on Saturday afternoons; learning to paint; playing bridge with her dear friends; dancing at formal balls; cuddling Boston Terriers; having guests drop in for Happy Hour; enjoying great adventures in Israel, Taiwan, Hungary, South America, Egypt, Russia and France; staying young in heart with Connie, Linda, Tucky and Jenny; making magical Christmas's for children and grandchildren; exercising at the St. Simeon Day program; and wearing high heels to any gathering. She leaves behind her loving children, Dr. Cliff Leonard of Crescent City, CA, Patsy Cunningham of Sheffield, England, and Cindy Leonard of Tulsa. She took joy in her extraordinary grandchildren, Dr. Wendi Leonard of Orinda, CA, Danny Kempthorne of Seattle, WA, and Leslie Graber of Tacoma, WA. She delighted in news about her daughter-in-law, Cheryl Leonard, her son-in-law, John Cunningham, her cousin, Doris Flournoy, and her great-grandchildren, Elliott and Jane Fong, Max Graber (and Violet Kempthorne, who is expected in September). Her family is very grateful for the loving diligence of Rebecca Thoman of her other caregivers, and of St. Francis Hospice. Service will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, June 15, at Boston Avenue United Methodist Church in the Rose Chapel. Donations in her name will be welcomed by the Boston Avenue United Methodist Church, the St. Francis Hospice, or St. Simeon's Adult Day Program. Moores Rosewood, 744-1202.