Dorothy Mary Leonard

Dorothy Mary (Bangs) Leonard, the eldest of seven siblings, who turned family celebrations into family reunions, died December 15, 2025, in Salem, Ore., from complications of heart disease.

She was born March 30, 1943, in Bremerton, Wash., to Kenneth and Norma Bangs while Kenneth was working in the shipyards during World War II.

Shortly thereafter they moved to a farm north of Inverness, Montana, where Ken and Norma took over the family homestead. Dorothy was soon joined by a string of baby brothers and finally a sister, the youngest of seven siblings.

Dorothy attended a one-room rural school until eighth grade and then went to high school in Havre, Mont., because she knew she wanted to be a nurse and the larger high school would give her a better chance to be accepted into such programs. She graduated from Havre High School in 1961 and then went to nursing school at Presbyterian St. Lukes School of Nursing in the Chicago area. She graduated from St. Lukes in 1964.

In Chicago she began working in her profession and met and married John Leonard.

Their first child, Charles, was born in Chicago. She also spent much time with her aunt and uncle, Gen and Ted Schwartz and their six boys who became like a second family.

Her next nine years were in Canton, Ohio, where she worked in a school of nursing and had her second son, Jason.

Dorothy returned to Montana in 1979, saying she wanted to get back to her roots, and began working at what was then known as Deaconess Hospital in Billings. She worked there while her boys finished high school, advancing in the job and becoming a departmental manager.

Eighteen years later Dorothy moved to Sunnyside, Wash., where she served as manager of a psychiatric unit for a regional hospital. In 2005 she moved to Salem and worked at the Salem Hospital until retirement.

She attended Our Savior’s Lutheran Church for a time and was active in Stephen Ministries. After retirement she volunteered for the Assistance League of Salem-Keizer where she made many good friends. She was curious about the world and loved to explore. She made many trips around the U.S. and traveled to South Korea and Africa.

Dorothy was known by her siblings and friends as a force to be reckoned with. When things needed organizing, Dorothy was there, using her communication skills and kindness to help others get things done. Her kindness and logic were the keys to working successfully with people.

Her nephew Josh Dolar, son of her sister Linda Bangs Dolar, remembers his aunt as a person who was “warm, thoughtful, intelligent, and had a sense of justice in every aspect of the word. She taught me so much about the world. How to be curious, how to cook, the importance of travel, how to look softly at a hard world. Most importantly, she taught me the importance of striking up a friendly conversation with a stranger, because you never know how that will change the direction of your life.” Her brother Richard said her absence leaves a hole in lives of her family. “She was the matriarch, the leader, the one who kept everyone honest in a firm but kind way,” Richard said.

Dorothy is survived by her two sons, Charles and wife Tawna Leonard of Billings, Mont., and Jason Leonard of Los Angeles, Calif. She is survived by her brother Collin Bangs of Missoula, Mont., brother Richard Bangs and wife Susan of Littleton, Colo., brother Dennis Bangs of Missoula, brother Bill Bangs and his wife Linda of Missoula, brother Tom Bangs and his wife Carol of Rudyard, Mont., and sister Linda Bangs Dolar and her husband Jerry of Salem, Ore. She also is survived by two grandsons, Drake Leonard and his wife Aunnika and Anthony Leonard, both of Billings, Mont. She also is survived by many nieces and nephews.

Services will be Sunday, Dec. 28 at 2 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1770 Baxter Rd. SE, Salem, OR 97306.

Memorials should be made to the Assistance League of Salem-Keizer, 1095 Saginaw St. S., Salem, OR 97302, 503-364-8318, [email protected]