Laurie Louise Leonard-White, 57, of Dallas, TX, passed away Monday, March 11th. She was born in Independence, IA on January 18th, 1962 to John and Mary Leonard. Laurie grew up in the small town of Rowley and graduated from St. John’s High School in Independence in 1980. She received her Bachelor’s in Social Work from Loras College in Dubuque, IA in 1984 and graduated with her Master’s in Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, TX in 1985.
Laurie worked as a licensed social worker for Dallas County Juvenile Probation at the Letot Center in Dallas, TX until the birth of her first child in 1991, when she started her favorite job of all: being a stay-at-home mom.
As a skilled, self-taught chef and an active member in St. Patrick’s Parish Community, Laurie volunteered within the Refugee Outreach program, serving meals to the parish refugee community every Sunday for 10 years.
She is preceded in death by her parents and brother Paul.
She is survived by her husband, Jim; her two sons, Addison and Ian; her siblings, Jane Cottrell (Tom), Michael Leonard (Susan), Brian Leonard (Margaret), Jo Anne Quint (Bill), Mimi Leonard, and Tim Leonard (Gretchen); along with many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Funeral arrangements will be held Monday, March 18th at 10am at St. Patrick Catholic Church (9643 Ferndale Road). A visitation will also be held Sunday, March 17th from 3-6pm at Sparkman-Crane Funeral Home (10501 Garland Road), with a rosary to be said at 4:30pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that contributions be made to the “Be The Difference Foundation” in memory of Laurie Leonard-White. Donations will be used to support ovarian cancer research by Dr. James Strauss and the Mary Crowley Cancer Research Center. You can find their website at www.bethedifferencefoundation.org/support-us/donate-to-be-the-difference-foundation/
