Obituary of Gloria Dell Leonard

Gloria Dell Leonard, 96, passed away on Friday, January 27th, 2023, at the Ashtabula County Nursing Home. She was born on August 23rd, 1926, in Ashtabula, the daughter of the late DeVere Simmons Sr. and Winifred Hogan. Gloria graduated from Ashtabula High School Class of 1945. She married the love of her life, Rev Robert (Bob) Leonard on April 16th, 1949. They spent 78 wonderful years together before her departure. Born, raised, and married in the beloved family home on Station Ave. She and her sisters loved to reminisce and share stories about the great fun, and sometimes trouble, that they had while taking the trolley uptown to watch a movie or sneaking out at night to head down to the depot to mail letters off to their sweethearts. These stories will forever be cherished by Gloria’s family. During the Korean War while Bob was overseas, Gloria remained with her parents and worked in the family bakery down the road from their home on Station Ave. Soon after Bob returned, Gloria shifted her focus to taking care of her new home and providing for others until her passing. Everyone’s “Aunt Gloria”, she was adored by all who knew her and will be deeply missed. Left to cherish Gloria’s memories are her husband of 73 beautiful years, Rev Robert Leonard; children, Carrie (Steve) Wimer and Christopher (Stephanie) Simmons; 6 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; brothers, Clinton (Nancy) Simmons of Ashtabula and DeVere (Patricia) Simmons of CleElum, WA.; and many nieces and nephews. Gloria was preceded in death by her parents, and sisters Lois (Richard) Hazeltine, Nancy (Ray) Kozak, and Sally (Ronald) McDonough. “If the path of the just is as a shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day; if no truth or goodness realized by man ever dies or can die, but all is still here recognized or not, lives and works through endless changes; if we are to emulate whatever is good and true and lovable, then in the life of Gloria D. Leonard we, who are left to struggle, to labor, and to pray, have a priceless heritage of good accomplished, a real and valuable possession of representative example”. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, February 2nd, 2023 from 11AM – 1PM. Services are to follow at 1PM at the ZABACK-WILLIAMS-DUCRO FUNERAL HOME, 500 West Prospect Road, Ashtabula. Burial will follow at Edgewood Cemetery Donations may be made to St. Joseph Indian School PO Box 100 Chamberlain, SD 57325 or St. Labrae School PO Box 216 Ashland, MT 55003 in honor of Gloria’s life. Online obituary and condolences at www.ducro.com