Helen C. Leonard

Helen Clare Leonard, 70, a lifelong resident of Rockford, died peacefully in her home on Saturday, March 10, 2012. Born July 10, 1941 the daughter of Dr. Charles and Helen Leonard. She received her Bachelor'¢s Degree from Penn State University, her MAT at Rockford College and had earned over 40 credit hours beyond her Master'¢s Degree. She was an English teacher at White Swan and Roosevelt Schools and spent most of her teaching career at Eisenhower Middle School where she served as department chair of the English Department. Helen was proud of her nomination for a Golden Apple Award. In 1999 after 34 faithful years of teaching she retired, however, she found great joy in becoming a mentor and tutor to students and teachers after her retirement.A member of Holy Family Catholic Church; Delta Kappa Gamma, Zeta Chapter; Caritas Catholic Charities; Junior League (25 years R.E.A. and other educational organizations.Her hobbies and interests included reading, tutoring, flower gardening, traveling throughout the world; photography and she had a special love for all of her dogs through the years. She was regarded as a gifted teacher and leader. She promoted a high standard of fine writing and meaningful discussions on literature and expressions of feelings and journaling.Helen was a loving sister a wonderful friend and she was a caring God Mother to many of her beloved nieces and nephews. She touched many and will be truly missed by everyone that was fortunate enough to have known her and love her. Survivors include her sisters, Mary Weitzel of River Forest, Ann (David) Burton of Milford, DE and Kate (Bill) Devers of Winnetka; brothers, John (Marsha) Leonard of Billings, MT, Tom (Paula) Leonard of Clearwater, FL, Luke (Georgia) Leonard of Santa Cruz, CA and Peter (Claudette) Leonard of Annapolis, MD; numerous nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews and many good friends and former students. Preceded in death by her twin brother, Charles Jr; her parents; sister, Nell Sheil; grandparents, John and Nell Condon of Rockford and Luke and Margaret Leonard of Chicago; cousin, Kathleen Leonard of Chicago and brothers in law, Charles Weitzel and William Sheil. Funeral Mass Thursday, March 15, 2012 at 11a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 4401 Highcrest Rd. Interment in Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Winnebago. Visitation Wednesday, March 14 from 47 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Mulford Chapel 1860 S. Mulford Rd. with a Rosary service to be recited at 7 p.m. Visitation continues on Thursday at church from 10 a.m. until time of prayer at 10:45 a.m. In lieu of flowers memorials to: Caritas Catholic Charities of Rockford, Delta Kappa Gamma, Zeta Chapter of Rockford, OSF St. Anthony Medical Center, Rockford or Holy Family Catholic Church.