Obituary of Johanna D. Leonard

Johanna (DeProspero) Leonard, 66, of Rome, passed away on Monday, January 26, 2009 at Stonehedge Nursing Facility after a long battle with cancer, with her loving family by her side. She was born in Rome, NY on July 22, 1942, daughter of John "Sheriff" DeProspero and Ida (Norelli) DeProspero. She was a 1960 graduate of Rome Free Academy. On September 7, 1963, Johanna married Peter Leonard in St. John the Baptist Church, a blessed union of 40 years. He passed away on November 12, 2003. Johanna retired from Rome Laboratory in 1999 after 28 years of Air Force civilian service. Surviving are her daughter, Deborah Leonard; and two sons and a daughter-in-law, Peter M. Leonard, and John and Michele (Kekis) Leonard, and her cherished grandsons, John Michael, Ryan Mathew and William Micah Leonard. Also surviving are her mother, Ida DeProspero, her brother, Nicholas DeProspero, a nephew, David DeProspero and a special cousin, James Acchino, all of Rome; several aunts, uncles and cousins. She was predeceased by her father, John DeProspero, and her beloved husband, Peter Leonard. The family wishes to thank the many friends of Johanna that aided and comforted her and our family throughout her long illness. We would also like to thank Doctors Butala, Crawford, Cimo and Amidon for their compassion and kindness with Johanna's care. Johanna was also deeply grateful to the nurses and staff of Dr. Butala and Dr. Crawford helping her get through the many hours of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Funeral services will be held on Friday at 9:45 a.m. from the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 218 W. Court St., and at St. John the Baptist Church at 10:30 a.m. Interment in St. John's Cemetery. Friends and family may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. In keeping with Johanna's wishes, in lieu of flowers or Mass cards, please consider a donation to the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, c/o Rosewell Park Alliance Foundation, Elm and Carlton Sts., Buffalo, N.Y. 14263. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.