Obituary of Kathleen (McCarthy) Leonard

Kathleen (McCarthy) Leonard, 90, a lifelong resident of Peabody, died peacefully Thursday evening surrounded by her family. She was the devoted wife of the late Francis E. "Buddy" Leonard with whom she shared 57 years of marriage and together they raised six children. Born in Peabody, she was one of six children of the late Edward and Katherine (Barry) McCarthy. She attended Peabody schools and graduated from Peabody High School, Class of 1939. After high school, Kathleen worked for ten years as a telephone operator for NE Tel & Tel Co. in the Peabody office. Once married, she devoted her life to her family. She was an outstanding wife, mother, and grandmother. She excelled at homemaking, sewing, calligraphy, poetry,and was an avid walker. She also spent several years working as a teacher's aid for the Peabody School System. She was a member of the St. John's Ladies Sodality and a lifelong communicant of St. John the Baptist Church. She is survived by her four sons, Francis E. "Buddy" and his wife Donna Leonard of Rowley, Peter and his wife Judith Leonard of East Kingston, NH, Thomas and his wife Maureen Leonard of West Newbury, MA, and John Leonard of Ipswich; her two daughters, Katherine and George Soteropoulos of Peabody and Susan and Jeff Linehan of Salem; her nine cherished grandchildren, Peter and Kara Soteropoulos, Amy Vera, Sandy and Eddie Leonard, Megan and Sean Linehan, Brendan Leonard, and Michael Leonard, a great grandson, Braylon, and very special friends. Kathleen was predeceased in death by her brothers; Edward, Jack, Gene and Bob McCarthy and her sister Margaret Manning. A visitation will be held on Monday from 4:00 until 8:00 PM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at the 82 Lynn St. facility. Her funeral will be held on Tuesday at 10AM from the funeral home, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11AM at St. John'sChurch, 16 Church St, Peabody. Burial will be in Cedar Grove Cemetary. Relatived and friends are kindly invited.