Obituary of Helen R. Leonard

Helen R. Leonard (nee Duke), age 87, of Clinton, NJ died Monday, October 19, 2015 at the Hunterdon Medical Center following a brief illness. Helen was born March 3, 1928 in Henderson, NC. She was the daughter of the late Clarence E. and the late Mable (Clark) Duke. At the age of three Helen moved to the tobacco region of Ontario Canada where her parents, tobacco farmers, taught her all aspects of planting and harvesting tobacco. She was skilled in running tractors and other farm equipment. She move to London Ontario for college and became a dental technician later immigrating to Clinton in 1952 where she worked at the NJ Reformatory for Women as a farm matron. While raising her family she took night class at Trenton State College and received her teaching certificate, she then began her career in teaching at the Califon School District as a second grade teacher for over thirty-five years. Helen enjoyed gardening and canning, and was a great seamstress mending and making her own clothing as well as those for her family. She also enjoyed the book club she belonged to and meeting her friends for lunches and tea. She is predeceased by her brother Frank Bennett Duke and sister Mazie Waravdecker. She is survived by her loving husband of sixty-three years: John W. Leonard, two sons: John W Leonard III of Clinton, NJ, Thomas E. Leonard and his wife Maureen of Milton, MA; she also has three beloved grandchildren, Thomas Jr., Michelle and Jane and 9 nieces and nephews. Friends and family may gather on Friday October 23, 2015 from 4:00pm until 7:00pm at the Martin Funeral Home, 1761 Route 31, Clinton NJ 08809. A funeral service will be held on Saturday October 24, 2015 at 10:00am at the funeral home. The Interment will follow at the Union Cemetery at Grandin. In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Helen may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital or to the Lupus Foundation For more information or to share memories with the family, please visit www.martinfh.com