Obituary of Denise Leonard
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It is with great sadness that the family of Denise Leonard announce her passing at the York Care Center in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. Denise passed away peacefully on Monday, August 26, 2024, after a long illness. Born in Dublin, Ireland in 1944, Denise was the second child of the late Katherine (Kitty) Leonard (nee Clarke) of Tyrrellspass, County Westmeath and the late Thomas Leonard of Dublin. Denise was educated at the Mount Anville Secondary School, University College Dublin from where she received her B.A., and Trinity College Dublin, graduating with an HDip in Education. Fluent in French, Denise trained as an Aer Lingus flight attendant but spent most of her working life as a teacher of English as a second language in Dublin and Canada. She emigrated to Canada in 1982 and lived there with cherished trips back to Ireland to visit her family.
She is survived by her son, Hugh Donovan (Elise); her sister Anne Gill (Michael); her nieces Fionnuala, Marianne (Eugene), and Ruth (Simon). She is also survived by her two grandchildren Maxime and Thomas Donovan and by her grandnephews and grandnieces: Malachy, Isaac, Jasper, Ada, and Leo.
The family would like to thank her long-time friend Bill Walker for his care and devotion to Denise, especially during her long periods of illness. Very special thanks also to the staff at the York Care Center for their devoted and professional nursing during her palliative phase. Denise’s ashes will be returned to Ireland where she will be interred with her parents in Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin. Personal condolences may be offered through www.yorkfh.com.
