Kathryn J. Leonard
February 2, 1937 ~ March 10, 2019
Kathryn Leonard Age 82, of Fargo, ND passed away on 03/10/2019 surrounded by her family
Kathryn was born 02 February 1937 in Guilsborough Northamptonshire England, to Norman and Rene Whalley. She resided in Stamford England before moving to and establishing a family in Corby Northants. In the mid 70’s she relocated with her family to Minot North Dakota where she lived until 1998, relocating to Fargo ND for the remainder of her days.
She lived a long and wonderful life filled with adventure and surrounded by her family who she dearly loved. After school, she established a career in the cosmetics industry that took her to Paris, London and Manchester England. Her love of fashion and design stayed with her throughout her life, creativity showed in all things she touched from her home, to Holiday gatherings with family, to her professional life in the Fargo area. She always was well dressed and her home beautifully appointed, with an eye for detail that was second to none.
Life was not without challenges, in 1976 Tara her second daughter was born to Kathryn and her husband Ron, with severe birth defects. This started her second career as a care giver and para professional to children with disabilities in the Minot school system. Kathryn cared for Tara as only a mother can. As fate would have it her husband Ron was taken from her all too soon in a trucking accident in the early eighties. Tara followed her father in the mid-nineties after overcoming many battles with her disabilities.
Kathryn lived a faith filled life, with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ until she passed on 03/10/2019. She is survived by her three children, Mark (Son) and Colleen Leonard, St Louis Park MN, Clare Shields (Daughter), Fargo ND, Dave and Holly (Daughter) Cleary, Fargo ND. Grand Children, Jakob Doane, Keaton and Beckett Leonard, Daniel, Kirsten, and Liam Cleary. Preceded in Death by her Husband Ron Leonard, and her Daughter Tara Leonard.
There is a memorial service on Wednesday March 13th, at 2:00pm, Boulger Funeral Home, 123 10 St South, Fargo ND, 58103.
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Your mom was the best! such heart felt sadness god bless all of you with the memories that live in your heart and every once in awhile a thought I sounded just like mom hugs❤️ Sonja
She was truly amazing.
Kathryn will be sadly missed by her surviving brothers Nick and Cliff family and friends in the UK where she visited frequently and was always welcome. She was much admired for her tenacity and can do attitude inspite of all of lifes setbacks.
We will miss her greatly
To Dearest Judy (Kay)
You were my aspiration, my dream and I am proud to call you, cousin. My childhood was elevated because of your kindness and generosity. You took me and my sister, Jenny to new heights and our womanhood was better for it. We have happy memories, laughter and fun to remember you by.
We followed your life and family through Cliff’s eyes and words; we are grateful for that. The visits to the UK rekindled the past and laughter was uppermost during those brief moments. I will never forget, Judy and will always love you.
Barbara
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Kate. My thoughts are with your family during this difficult time.
Kathyrn was a special person. I loved working with her at WFHS and spending quality time with her through the years. My love goes out to you all. I know you are strong and leaning on Jesus will heal your heart as you grieve.
In Jesus-Sue Boyle
Kate was a wonderful lady to be around! Our family and children always enjoyed being able to visit with her at dinners and events. She will be truly missed!
Sincerely one of the most wonderful women I have
ever had the pleasure to know. Always a smile, a hug
and a good story. So very sorry for your loss Clare.
I first met Kaye at the British wives club in Fargo. ND.
We became good friends over the years. Kathryn was so easy to talk to!
I will cherish her friendship always.
With all the hardships she had endured throughout her life, Kaye was always pleasant and happy when we got together. Mostly by cell phone these past 15 yrs. as I had moved to AZ.
I miss will miss you kay. Until we meet again. Love 💗🙏💜🇬🇧🇺🇸
I attended several Bible Studies with Kate at Atomic Coffee. She shared her faith and the story of her family life with us. She told about her father serving as the Royal Mace Bearer in the Queen’s Court. She had a great laugh and funny expressions. She also loved Panera Bread.
Kay was a delightful lady with a keen sense of fashion , life, color and adventure. I did truly enjoy the time I worked with her selling clothes at the Pendleton store in West Fargo as well as her daughter Claire. The Lord gained a loving Angel when he took her home n she will cheer them all up in Heaven. May God bless her family n hold you all in his care through these day. RIP Kay
We were blessed to get to know Kay through the years! What a special lady! Our hearts and prayers are with the family!
Condolences to Kay’s family and friends both in the UK and the USA.
Kay and I worked together in Corby in the mid seventies, we had a lot of fun! We both came to America within 2 months of each other in 1975 and funnily enough met up in England while we were both visiting there in 2015 after not seeing each other in 40 years.
We both felt that our hearts were always in 2 places because we were lucky enough to have great friends and family in both Countries. R.I.P. my friend xxx
Kathryne was always Judy to her friends in the UK. So I remember her as Judy . She was such a pretty girl and so lovely to have as a friend.. When over in the UK she always found time to visit us.
– Shirley, my late wife was so proud to be her bridesmaid on her wedding day.
Such a sad loss yet she will always be in our thoughts.
Mick
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Kate was a beautiful person inside and out. We had many great visits at the pool. I will always remember her sweet smile. She will be missed. To her family I’m sorry for your loss. I know that you have many wonderful memories that will help through this sad time.
Clare,
I stopped by Boulger’s early. I’m not good with unfamiliar places, but I wanted to pay my respects to your mother. I watched the video of your beautiful family. Your mother’s strength of purpose and spirit was clear. I absolutely loved the photo booth pics of your mom and you. I stayed to watch it a couple of times because the joy and fun was inspired delight. I can see her in you. Healing prayers for you and your family. Godspeed on your heavenly journey, Kathryn Leonard.
It was a joy to visit with Kate at the pool. She had a great memory of her childhood and would tell about experiences she encountered. My sympathy to the family!
My beautiful, glamorous Anutie Judy will be greatly missed. We loved her visits to the UK. She was never afraid to speak her mind and was always laughing. We spent many hours putting the world to rights and shopping! I was proud to call her my Auntie ❤️❤️❤️
We were very sad to hear about Kathryn’s passing although we only saw Judy (which is the name we knew her by) occasionally and are part of her extended family in the UK.
Thinking of her and how I would describe her to you, then I can only think of one word, which is ‘Vibrant’
Our thoughts are with her family at this sad time
Aunty Judy (as I knew her) visiting us in the UK was always a joyous occasion. She always brought with her so much energy and happiness, and of course as a child, I’d look back fondly on the offer of Tootsie Rolls and other American delights! I’d enjoy seeing photographs and hearing stories about family back in the states, who were her world, who made her very proud and who she loved so very much.
Judy’s determination to get on with life with her head held high, and such strength in spite of difficulties in her life was truly inspirational. She is much loved and will be missed dearly by so many.
Pop the kettle on and have cup of tea, you can rest now. Good night, aunty Judy xxxxx
All these kind and thoughtful comments mean the world to our family..❤️ Thank you.
Kay was an amazing Mum-in-law and friend.
I will miss her and look forward to seeing her again in heaven someday…”Love you Kay…”
Hey Jude….. that’s how I started every telephone conversation and message I sent you and I can’t believe I’ll never get to do that again. We had such great times together. No one could throw a party like you. Cliff’s 21st is one that comes to mind, I didn’t get home until 5am and my parents banned me from ever seeing Cliff again! Luckily they listened to my pleading eventually. And before long you were helping my dad to decorate our first home together. Another good party was your send off to the USA, I ended up in casualty at that one! We shared so much and both knew we could speak our minds to each other. You were truly a one off and I will miss you and love you forever xx
I loved visits from my Uncle Cliff’s sister Judy, as we knew her. She was always interested in hearing about the extended family over here in the uk and she was such a glamorous, cheerful person. She will be sadly missed.
Kate’s family,
I want to offer my sincere sympathy to you all on Kate’s death. I enjoyed my time working with her at WFHS. She was super professional in her time at school. I always enjoyed our visits and our communication through Facebook posts. RIP Kate.
God Bless all..
I’m so sorry to hear of Kay’s passing, we kept in touch by phone regularly and I was wondering why I hadn’t heard from her in a while. I knew her from Corby. My condolences to all her family. I’ll be thinking of her on my trip to Stamford tomorrow.
I knew Judy as a school girl when she lived in Nassington. We lost touch and then she found me on Facebook. We corresponded for several years then suddenly stopped..Sosad to hear of her passing, my deepest sympathy to all her family.