Patricia Louise Leonard

Patricia Louise Leonard was born on December 16, 1937, in Battle Creek, Michigan. She was the youngest of 8 children. She passed away on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, after a long illness. Although she may not physically be with us anymore, her infectious spirit and laughter remain in our hearts.

Ticia’s family moved north when she was a child and she graduated from Bellaire High School. She remained close with her siblings throughout her life. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Tom and Tim; and sisters, Marie, Martha and Mary Ann. They are all singing Irish songs and dancing an Irish jig together now that she has joined them!

Ticia moved to Grand Rapids where she met her brother’s classmate, Luke Leonard. They were married for over 60 years until his passing in August of 2023. Together they created a lively family with 5 children. Ticia is survived by her children, Colleen (Bill) Roth, Mike (Lisa) Leonard, Patrick (Sally) Leonard, Timothy (Heidi) Leonard and Sarah (Bob) Nikodemski. She will be sorely missed by all her grandchildren, Will (Kaylee), Colin (Maddie), Braden Roth, Aishlin (Hunter) Krohn, Connor, Sean, Brendan, and Molly Leonard, Eli, Luke, and Flynn Leonard, Sarah and Jacqueline Leonard, Emily (Cruz), Tony and Katie Nikodemski. She is also survived by her big brother, Joe Conroy; big sister, Margo Howard; and many nieces and nephews who adored her.

Ticia worked for over 20 years at St. Thomas the Apostle School and then the parish, where her children attended school. She was a strong advocate for Catholic education. She was an extremely hard worker and continued to work into her 80’s at various part-time jobs. That allowed her to support her favorite hobby-shopping! She never drove by a TJMaxx without going inside.

Ticia fully embraced being a grandma and very enthusiastically supported her grandkids in all their endeavors. She attended numerous plays, recitals and freezing cold football games. She used her love of shopping to shower gifts on her family. The mound of presents under the Christmas tree was the stuff of childhood dreams. Although Christmas was her favorite holiday, she also organized Easter egg hunts, Halloween lunches and was a regular at the St. Patrick’s Day parade. One of her favorite places was Grand Haven in the summer, especially when she could gather the entire family. However, any gathering felt like a holiday with Grandma at the party. Her positive attitude and laughter were contagious.

The family would like to thank the staff at Green Acres of Standale for taking such great care of her and making these last months as comfortable as possible.

Family will greet friends and relatives from 5-7:30PM on Monday, May 19, 2025, at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Funeral Home, 3980 Cascade Road SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49546. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11am on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at Holy Spirit Parish, 2230 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504, with visitation one hour prior and Rev. Mark Peacock presiding. Interment Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Those wishing to honor Ticia can make contributions to the Catholic Central Fund, Tim and Jan Conroy Legacy Scholarship or the Bill and Colleen Roth Scholarship at West Catholic.