Maureen Leonhardt

Maureen Agnes Leonhardt passed away peacefully on December 23, 2024, at the age of 90. Maureen was born in Cleveland, Ohio on September 13, 1934, to William and Agnes Haas. She grew up with her brother, Bill, and sister, Betty Jane, and with a large extended family close by. Maureen's family celebrated every event and milestone in their lives. They loved getting together, making music and playing cards.

Maureen's lifelong ambition was to become a teacher. She attended St. Stephen High School then went on to Notre Dame Academy at age 17, becoming a Sister of Notre Dame and beginning her teaching career at the young age of 19. After 15 years and much soul searching, Maureen exited religious life and continued pursuing her life's work as an educator, attending Kent State University in 1968.

It was at this time in her life that Maureen met the love of her life, husband Ken, via a new invention - a computer dating service. It was love at first sight for Maureen and, after four months of long distance phone calls and dates, she and Ken married on September 14, 1968 and moved to Ken's hometown of Cincinnati. They welcomed their first daughter, Shawna in 1969 followed by their second, Jana, in 1971.

As the years passed, Maureen worked tirelessly, taking care of her home and family in addition to continuing her education and teaching full-time. She received her Bachelors degree from The Union Institute in 1979 and her Masters in Education from The College of Mount St. Joseph in 1982. Maureen taught at St. Augustine, Delhi Jr. High, and finally at Delshire Elementary School in special education until her retirement in 1999. Maureen was a much loved teacher by her students, their parents and her fellow teachers, receiving many accolades for her work. Even after retirement, Maureen continued to fulfill her passion for education by tutoring students and contributing as a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, an organization promoting professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education.

Maureen loved to keep busy. She had numerous hobbies and interests, from sewing clothes when she was younger to learning to crochet later in life and making special blankets as gifts. She was famous for her delicious Christmas cookies, highly anticipated by family and friends each year. Maureen was sometimes an audio/video coordinator while teaching, which led to an interest in video editing. She transferred old family home movies and videotapes to DVD and made slideshows, cards and did other projects on her computer. She loved collecting music boxes and roosters, and loved music as well, especially musicals and the Cincinnati and Boston Pops. Maureen even took up tap dancing in middle age in a group with her then teenage daughters.

Even with all her activities, Maureen always made time to care for her husband, children, and those she loved, including, since 1999, neighbors Mark and Terrie and their children Elliott and Molly, who Maureen had the pleasure of babysitting when they were young and watching grow up as the two families became the dearest of friends.

Maureen lived a full, rich life filled with accomplishments, a desire to always continue to learn and grow, and with the love of family and many dear friends. She will be remembered for her selfless devotion to her loved ones, her strength that carried her through all the seasons of her life, and the countless lives she touched. Maureen has left us all richer for the privilege of having known her.

Maureen was preceded in death by her parents, siblings and many relatives and friends. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Ken, and her daughters, Shawna and Jana, as well as many nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family and close friends.

Visitation will be held on January 4 at 10:00 AM followed by a service to celebrate Maureen's life at 11 AM until noon at Moore Family Funeral Homes in Newtown, 6708 Main Street, Newtown, Ohio. There will be a luncheon gathering after the service at a nearby venue. The burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Cincinnati, (513) 865-1616 or visit https://hospiceofcincinnati.org/donate/.