Elisa Tocco-Leonard, of Malden, passed away on December 21, 2019 at Tufts Medical Center after a long and brave battle with multiple myeloma. She was 62 years old.
Elisa was the wife of the late Richard C. Leonard. She was the beloved daughter of Elisa (Ramondi) Tocco and the late Alfred “Fred” Tocco. Elisa was the loving and devoted mother of Richard, Alexandra, and Mark Leonard of Malden. She was the cherished sister of Maria D’Orsi and her husband Richard of Medford, Susan Catricala and her husband Victor of Malden, and Alfred L. Tocco Jr. and his wife Dawn of Londonderry, NH. Elisa was the dear aunt of Domenic D’Orsi and his wife Ginny, Christina D’Orsi, Victor and Christian Catricala, and Antonia and Nicholas Tocco. She was the great aunt of Gianna, Briana, Michael, Grace, and Lucas D’Orsi. Elisa was like a sister to Annmarie Angelo Mackay, Paula Angelo, and Sandra Danca. She is also survived by several aunts and uncles, many cousins, and a legion of friends.
Elisa worked for over 40 years at Tufts Medical Center as a medical technologist. She was a part of the very hematology oncology team that so lovingly treated her during her illness. She also worked with Roche Diagnostics, assisting in the development of diagnostic equipment but became ill before completion, much to her disappointment. She loved cooking and for a number of years was the in house chef at Anthony’s function facility in Somerville. She had boundless energy, an amazing work ethic, and a sunny disposition that made her beloved by everyone who had the privilege to work with her.
Elisa fought her cancer with bravery and grace, without complaint, despite constant, crippling pain and the dreadful effects of both a bone marrow transplant and ongoing, harsh chemotherapy, which prevented her from doing the things she loved with the people she loved.
A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Elisa’s life will be held at the Immaculate Conception Church, 600 Pleasant Street, Malden on Tuesday December 31st at 10:00am. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. A visitation period will be held from 8:00am-10:00am at the church prior to the Mass.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Elisa’s Fundraiser established by her children on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/donate/773065189834626/3200967936585448/ or the Cam Neely Foundation for Cancer Care, online at camneelyfoundation.org, or by mail to The Cam Neely Foundation, 30 Winter Street, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02108