Denise Dawn Leonard

Denise, fondly known by most as “Niecie”, was born on April 10, 1955, in Jacksonville, Florida, number six (6) in a line of eight (8) girls and one (1) boy to the late Robert John Leonard and Alice “Jean” Wilson Leonard. Niecie spent her life in Jacksonville, Florida and was employed at St. Vincent’s Medical Center (now known as Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside), as a “unit secretary” for a little over forty-two (42) years. Niecie loved to collect several things, specifically Halloween themed items, especially the Lemax Spooky Town collection - frequently setting them up as a display for all her nieces and nephews and then their children to enjoy during the Halloween season. She delighted in babysitting for her many nieces and nephews and her great-nephew, Jayden Leonard. During the last ten years she especially enjoyed babysitting for her great-nephew, Gage Finley, along with his Nana, Rita Brooks, and his Great-Aunt Noni, Johnel Martin (otherwise known by Gage, as the “3 N’s”). She loved to make Gage laugh, and when he would “belly-laugh” (which was often), she would light up like a Christmas Tree. Besides taking care of her sisters’ little ones, she was a wonderful caregiver to her mother, father and her baby sister, Rita, when they all were recuperating from open-heart surgery (at different times, of course), as well as taking exceptional care of her parents during their last days on earth. In fact, because of her long-time experience in the medical field, a lot of her nieces and nephews looked to her for placing the bandages or gauze exactly right on their cuts and scrapes, as opposed to their mothers... lol.

Denise is survived by her sisters, Deanna L. Green, of Middleburg, Florida, Marie J. Greene (Mike), of Callahan, Florida, Debbie F. Dowling (Jim), of Jacksonville, Florida, Roxanne J. Parker (Scott), of Middleburg, Florida, Johnel K. Martin and Rita A. Brooks, both of Jacksonville, Florida; her Aunt Eileen Leonard Cramer (95 years old) of Maryland; several cousins and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews, all scattered throughout the upper east-coast, Georgia and Florida.

She was predeceased by her father and mother, Robert John Leonard and Alice “Jean” Wilson Leonard; her eldest sister, Theressa Gloria Leonard Duska; her baby brother, Allen W. Leonard, and her nephew, James “Jamie” Edward Tolbert, Jr.

Denise was a best friend to her sisters and her late brother. Denise, Johnel and Rita were also known as the “Three Musketeers”, as we used to always be seen at doctors’ appointments, Hobby Lobby, Marshall’s, Dollar Tree, and just about every other store in Jacksonville, together. She will be truly missed by all who knew her, and will be especially missed during Halloween as we will fondly remember her love of that holiday. Denise’s last wishes included not having a funeral service but rather a “party” to be conducted at her house (formerly her parents’ house), listening to the “oldies”, some karaoke-recorded tapes/videos, and of course to watch a “horror” movie or movies in her honor.