Mary C Leonard

Mary C. Leonard passed away of Feb. 7, 2017 at her home in Walpole, NH. She had been briefly hospitalized and chose to return to her beloved home under Hospice care. She was born on August 22, 1928 in Catskill, New York; the daughter of the late Lola and Arthur Conklin.

Mary graduated from Drew School for Girls in Carmel, NY. She then attended Stetson University in Deland, Florida, Boston College of Music, and New York School of Interior Design. In 1949 she married James H. Leonard. They lived in Scituate while Jim worked in Weymouth but soon were involved in various businesses together. They owned the Wool, Wood, and Wax Shop and Real Estate in Jamaica, VT; The Village Store in Kinderhook, NY and Leonard’s Yarn Shop in Chatham, NY. Mary was also employed as a buyer for Goldwaters in Scottsdale, AZ during the 1960’s. She worked for many years as Customer Service Manager at the Manning Company in Bellows Falls, VT and later Mary was employed as the Program Assistant at the Office of Disability Services at Keene State College for twenty-one years, retiring in 2009.

Mary established a long and deep commitment to students at Keene State College and wanted to express her devotion by establishing two scholarships for students with disabilities and an interest in Music. She will be especially remembered for her interests in music. Mary was a soloist at the Science Church in Brattleboro, VT and an organist at the Christian Science Church in Keene for many years. She was much loved and appreciated by the many students of all ages who visited her home for piano and voice lessons. Mary and Jim did not have children of their own but Mary found great pleasure in the children who became important in her life through music.

She was a member of The Eastern Star, Chapter 293 in New York and the American Auxiliary in Catskill, NY.

She is predeceased by her husband Jim in 2010; and her brother, Arthur J. Conklin.

She is survived by two sister-in-law, Barbara Bushnell Leonard, and Marietta Conklin; as well as nephews and nieces in Florida and Arizona.

A graveside service will be held in the spring when her ashes will be placed beside those of her husband in the country cemetery in Westmoreland. A notice of date will be published at that time. The FLETCHER FUNERAL HOME, 33 Marlboro St., Keene, NH is assisting the family with arrangements. Contributions in Mary’s name should be made out to Keene State College, Att: Marilyn Shriver, KSC Scholarship Administrator, 229 Main St. Keene, NH 03431. Please make notation of Mary Leonard Scholarship.