Phyllis Ann (Trainor) Leonard

Within the embrace of her loving family, Phyllis Ann Leonard (nee Trainor) of Stow, MA (and formerly of West Newbury, MA), 87, died peacefully on March 13 following a long illness. A self-described “friend to all and sister to every other Girl Scout”, Phyllis will be remembered as a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. A fierce and righteous defender of progressive ideals, Phyllis was a life-long member of the Democratic party and could reliably be spotted holding a sign in support of a candidate or cause outside her local polling station each Election Day.

She will be remembered as kind, bright, generous to a fault, and wonderfully playful. A champion of the underdog, she would go to the mat in support of those she loved. There was no one quite like her, and she will be greatly missed.

Born in Arlington, MA, on April 5, 1937, to the late Cecilia (Miner) and William Trainor, Phyllis grew up in Bedford, MA. Vice President of Concord High School’s graduating class of 1955, she proudly wore the maroon and gold for varsity basketball and field hockey. Phyllis met the love of her life, the late Richard “Dutch” Leonard, while attending Northeastern University. He wooed her with out loud readings of ‘The Catcher in the Rye’ and meatball subs, wandering together around Boston Commons. They married on Nov. 28, 1958, and the couple shared four children.

Phyllis earned a Master’s degree plus in psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University in NJ and worked for years as a school psychologist, dedicated to helping children with disabilities find joy in learning. The cherished matriarch of her family, Phyllis eventually moved back to MA, where she obtained her Realtor’s license, working for Victor Company and ReMax in Boxford and North Andover, before hanging out a shingle as Phyllis Leonard Real Estate. A strong believer in homeownership as a pathway out of poverty, Phyllis particularly delighted in helping young couples buy their first house. She was the general contractor for several home renovations and new construction, including a dream house for her and Dutch on Porter Rd in Boxford.

Phyllis was dedicated to watching her beloved BoSox, attending the creative endeavors of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and participating in political discussions and debates. One of her greatest joys was singing with gusto to songs by Rogers & Hart, Pete Seeger, and The Clancey Brothers at family jam sessions. Her love for music and these gatherings was a testament to her fun-loving nature. Phyllis’ motto was “Life is a cup, fill it up” –and she certainly did just that!

Phyllis is survived by brother William “Jim” Miner, daughters Michelle Techler and her husband Tim, Jennifer Leonard-Solis and her husband Segundo, and son Richard Leonard; grandchildren and spouses Mia, Peter, Keenan, Giuls, and Liam Leonard-Solis; Graham and Julia Techler; Geoffrey Cole, and Irish Tim Francis; great grandchildren Raelen Leonard-Solis, Eoin, Aoife, Brigid Francis and Elliot Cole; fur babies Jazz, Kady, Arlo, and Jewelsey; and her loving nieces and nephews and their families.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, Dutch; sisters Pauline Kroehler and Virginia Leveille; infant son Peter Jonathan; and infant grandson Richard Louis.

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On March 18, a private service was held in her memory at the Conte - Giamberardino Funeral Home, 14 Pleasant Street, Georgetown. She was laid to rest next to Dutch at the Mount Vernon Cemetery in Boxford. A Celebration of Life gathering is planned for later this spring at the First Religious Society UU of Newburyport. For information, contact Michelle at mtechler@gmail.com or Jen at jensolis@comcast.net

For those wishing to share memories or photos with Phyllis’ family, please visit www.cgfuneralhomegeorgetown.com

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made in memory of Phyllis be sent to Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center https://jeannegeigercrisiscenter.org/donate/

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