Obituary for Helen E Leonard (Sweeney)
A Winchester resident for over 50 years, Helen E. Leonard (née Sweeney) passed away unexpectedly February 19, 2021, in the presence of her beloved daughters and husband. Helen will be forever remembered for her boundless energy for life, her love for and devotion to her family, her helpful and kind consideration of many, and her fearless approach to living.
Helen and her identical twin sister Mary Ann (Broggi) were raised in Arlington and were well known Boston personalities in the 1940’s. They were frequently pictured in the Boston newspapers and they were the first models for the founder of Polaroid (Dr. Land) and are pictured in his N.J. museum. They were vivacious, athletic, engaging and welcoming to everything that they encountered.
Helen married her husband and best friend Gene (Eugene A., Sr.) in 1952 and they spent 69 years together laughing and working to build a wonderful life. Their unbreakable bond was based on the “little things” in life…many, many wonderful yet unspectacular moments strung together. Helen was a non-traditional wife of the 1950’s, as she and Gene together started to invest in real estate. She loved the stimulation of the business challenges and interacting with so many different people. Helen continued to stay busy in the business until her mid-80s and the tenants immensely enjoyed her interaction with them. Helen and Gene were dedicated parents and they were fortunate in having their entire family close by until a few years ago. Family was always first for Helen, but after the kids grew up Helen and Gene spent most of their relaxation time entertaining, golfing, bowling or visiting frequently with their extended family. For many years they were active members of the Winchester Country Club and St. Eulalia Parish.
Helen loved anything to do with being outside, whether it was a serene walk, feeding her squirrels, or gardening or shoveling snow. She loved nature and always made it part of her day, even if just to watch and enjoy from a window. If she was inside, she was designing or decorating; she never saw a room that didn’t need improvement or a wall that shouldn’t be moved! Until she was 89 years old, Helen was blessed with a healthy life. She was always in motion doing something and she embraced all aspects of her life with enthusiasm and passion.
Helen was a loving mother to daughters Dyan R. Leonard of Winchester, and Michelle Grady of Memphis Tennessee, and to her son, the late Eugene Leonard, Jr. She was the cherished grandmother of Eugene Leonard III., Scott Grady Jr., and Heather Grady. Helen was an adoring great grandmother to Locklyn and Saoirse Grady. She also leaves behind her very loved 40 year old African Grey parrot, Charlie. Helen was prayed for in her final days by her identical twin sister Mary Ann and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Helen‘s memory to:
Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org/ or mailed to Saint Jude at: 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105
Helen and her identical twin sister Mary Ann (Broggi) were raised in Arlington and were well known Boston personalities in the 1940’s. They were frequently pictured in the Boston newspapers and they were the first models for the founder of Polaroid (Dr. Land) and are pictured in his N.J. museum. They were vivacious, athletic, engaging and welcoming to everything that they encountered.
Helen married her husband and best friend Gene (Eugene A., Sr.) in 1952 and they spent 69 years together laughing and working to build a wonderful life. Their unbreakable bond was based on the “little things” in life…many, many wonderful yet unspectacular moments strung together. Helen was a non-traditional wife of the 1950’s, as she and Gene together started to invest in real estate. She loved the stimulation of the business challenges and interacting with so many different people. Helen continued to stay busy in the business until her mid-80s and the tenants immensely enjoyed her interaction with them. Helen and Gene were dedicated parents and they were fortunate in having their entire family close by until a few years ago. Family was always first for Helen, but after the kids grew up Helen and Gene spent most of their relaxation time entertaining, golfing, bowling or visiting frequently with their extended family. For many years they were active members of the Winchester Country Club and St. Eulalia Parish.
Helen loved anything to do with being outside, whether it was a serene walk, feeding her squirrels, or gardening or shoveling snow. She loved nature and always made it part of her day, even if just to watch and enjoy from a window. If she was inside, she was designing or decorating; she never saw a room that didn’t need improvement or a wall that shouldn’t be moved! Until she was 89 years old, Helen was blessed with a healthy life. She was always in motion doing something and she embraced all aspects of her life with enthusiasm and passion.
Helen was a loving mother to daughters Dyan R. Leonard of Winchester, and Michelle Grady of Memphis Tennessee, and to her son, the late Eugene Leonard, Jr. She was the cherished grandmother of Eugene Leonard III., Scott Grady Jr., and Heather Grady. Helen was an adoring great grandmother to Locklyn and Saoirse Grady. She also leaves behind her very loved 40 year old African Grey parrot, Charlie. Helen was prayed for in her final days by her identical twin sister Mary Ann and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Helen‘s memory to:
Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org/ or mailed to Saint Jude at: 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105