Patricia M. "Patty" (Leonard) Sheppard, a 30 year resident of Stoneham and formerly of Wakefield, passed into eternal life on Saturday, February 18, 2012 at Winchester Hospital following a long and courageous extended illness. She was 63 years old.
Patty was born in Winchester on March 16, 1948 to the late George A. Leonard Jr. and Madeline E. (Smith) Leonard. She grew up in Wakefield where she attended Wakefield Public Schools and graduated from Wakefield High School in 1966. Patty worked as a manager for over 20 years for Lechmere Company at their Woburn and Danvers locations. Before her illness, Patty was working as a manager at Rounds Hardware on Main Street in Stoneham. Patty loved cooking, gardening and especially loved animals. She was a sports enthusiast and cheered for the Red Sox, Celtics, Patriots and Bruins.
Patty is the beloved daughter of the late George A. Leonard Jr. and Madeline E. (Smith) Leonard. She is the devoted sister of George C. Leonard of Osprey, Florida, Madelyn K. Rouff of Lebanon, Maine, Katherine Leonard of Stoneham and Thomas J. Leonard of Swansey, New Hampshire. She is the sister-in-law of the late Diane Leonard. She is the loving aunt of Sean Leonard whom she loved dearly and her 5 nieces, 3 nephews, 3 grandnieces and 3 grandnephews. She is also survived by Catherine Anglin, several aunts and uncles and her beloved dog Sabrina.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Patty's Funeral Service on Friday, February 24, 2012 at 10 a.m. in The Carr Funeral Home, 1159 Main St., Melrose/Wakefield line. Interment will be at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park in Peabody. Visiting hours will be on Thursday, February 23, 2012 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, kindly make a memorial donation in Patty's name to the American Lung Association, P.O. Box 265, Burlington, Mass. 01803.
The Leonard family wishes to thank the staff at The Winchester Hospital for their loving care and kindness given to Patty during her long term illness. The family also expresses gratitude to the caregivers at Meadowview Rahabilitation in North Reading.