Marie Leonardo

Marie L. Leonardo, 100 yrs. old.

It is with great sadness that the family of Marie L. Leonardo “ZiZi” announce her peaceful passing on April 16, 2020 at the age of 100.  Marie was born and raised in Chicago where she lived with her parents, the late Josephine and Russell.  After her marriage to Joseph, she became a long-time resident of Berwyn and Lyons, Illinois. Marie intensely loved her family and fulfilled many roles in her life. She was a dedicated daughter to her parents, a loyal wife to her late husband Joseph, and loving sister to her late siblings: Angeline, Vito, Orlando (Lonnie) and Carmen. She was the devoted aunt to the late Patricia and Barbara.  Marie is survived by: her nieces Marlene, Patricia (Gerry), Joanne and her nephews Ralph (Sharon), and Carmen (Sue).  Zizi will also be fondly remembered by the next generations comprised of great-niece and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, and great-great-great nieces as well as extended family. and many dear friends. In her life, Marie experienced many life events, joys, and challenges. She was most proud of her marriage to Joseph and his military service in WII, her life time work record, and her constant quest for knowledge and understanding of the world and times she lived in. Perhaps she will be most remembered as an optimistic, generous, person who loved family and all people deeply. She was quick to accept and always shown herself with grace, dignity, and regard for all she came in contact with on any given day.  She accepted people as they were and sought out the best in them. To those closest to her, she was a teacher, a confidant, a role mode, but mostly someone we knew would always “be there” for us. With our loss, we will have many fond memories of her and hope that they will sustain us at this time. She taught us early in life there were no goodbyes, only “Bye-Bye for Now”. So, as it always has been, “Bye-Bye for now Zizi” A celebration of Marie’s life is tentatively planned for Saturday, June 27, 2020 at 10 am at the Heritage Funeral Home, 3117 S. Oak Park Avenue in Berwyn. Illinois with the Reverend William Walley, officiating. Interment will follow at the Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois. Those who desire to make donations in memory of Marie, can send to People Care, Inc., c/o Judy Mantel, Executive Director, 60 Akenside Rd., Riverside. Illinois 60546.

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