Mary Agnes (Gillian) Leonard

Mary Agnes Leonard, 85, passed away of natural causes, peacefully in her home, on February 21, 2019. Mary was born in Clay, New York, in 1933 to Thomas C. Gillan, Sr. and Margaret Savage of Belgium, New York.

Mary met and fell in love with John Franklin Leonard, Jr. in 1950 when he visited the family farm with her brother on a long weekend pass from the Army. They wed in 1951 and shared 62 years together. Mary and John had 5 children together and many adventures as they lived abroad and traveled the globe as an Army family, ultimately choosing Sierra Vista, Arizona to make their permanent home, their favorite place of all.

Mary was fearless. She was the first to sign up for belly dancing classes when she lived in Tehran, Iran. She especially enjoyed fishing, bowling, square dancing and going on cruises. Mary was happiest when surrounded by her family and her poodles. Mary was a friend of Bill W. for more than 40 years, and changed countless lives as she shared her experience, strength, and hope around the tables.

Mary lived a strong Catholic faith and taught her children and many others about love, strength of character, dignity, devotion, patience, and generosity.

Mary was an Avon Lady for 25 years and was a familiar figure all over Sierra Vista and Ft. Huachuca. She remained in the Presidents Club of Avon for 20 of those years.

Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John Franklin Leonard, her parents, Thomas and Margaret Gillan, her sisters, Sylvia and Peggy and her brothers, Richard, Thomas, Murrell, and Timothy. She is survived by her children, Mike Leonard (Sandy), Pat Leonard, Jay Leonard, Joy Kross (Jenn) and Kathy Garza (Silver); her grandchildren, Jennifer Nicewonder (Steve), Michelle Stratton (Mason), Veronica Hawthorne (Mike), JR Garza (Claudia), Peter Brown, Michael Brown (Jennifer) and Helen Sanders (PJ); and her great grandchildren Caitlin, Dalton, Gracie, Nicky Lee, Jayden, McKinna, and Leo; her dear sisters-in-law, Betty and Mary, and her brother, Terry.

Mary was deeply loved by her family and many friends and will be greatly missed.

Funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church at 12 noon, Wednesday, February 27, followed by internment at Ft. Huachuca old Post cemetery, then with reception at St. Andrew’s annex, 800 Taylor Dr. N W., Sierra Vista, Arizona 85635.

If you would like to attend but cannot drive, please call 520-458-2588.

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