LEONARD, Kathleen Ann “Kal”

We are heartbroken to share that our amazing sister has departed this life for the next. Kathleen passed away at Carbonear General Hospital on Friday, March 8, 2024.

Kathleen or Kal as we affectionately called her was born November 19, 1958, to Patrick and Annie Leonard of Conception Harbour. In 1975 at age 16, Kathleen suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident. After more than three months in a coma and two years at the Children’s Rehab Centre, Kathleen was able to return home to her family. For all of her adult life, Kathleen struggled to do the things that most of us take for granted but, do them she did!

Kathleen lived at home with her parents until they passed, her Mom in 1982 and her Dad in 2000. While living at home Kathleen’s life was centered around her Church and she attended Mass daily. She remained home with the help of home care workers until 2016. She loved to go shopping and visiting with their help. Kal moved to Callingwood Downs Retirement Residence in Clarke’s Beach in 2016 and to the Private Josiah Squibb Memorial Pavilion (PJSMB) in Carbonear in 2021. While living in Clarke’s Beach and Carbonear, Kal loved to come home on weekends to spend time with family.

Kal was resilient, smart, witty, had a wicked sense of humour and was fiercely independent. It was her determination to do things for herself that defined her. At times, she was a force to be reckoned with and woe to anyone who told her there was something she couldn’t do. Kal had a heart of gold and always wanted to help others. The way Kal took on all her challenges over the years with grit and with such a positive attitude was an inspiration to us all. No matter how many times she fell down, she always got back up!

Left to mourn her loss and cherish her memory are her sisters, Mary (Gary), Geraldeen (Jeff), Clara (Dave), Shirley (John d.), her brothers, Jim (Glynis), John (Bernice), Joe Rotchford (Judy), her brotherin-law Stan and sister-in-law Yvonne. Kathleen will also be fondly remembered by her nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Kathleen will be missed by the staff and residents of 2 North at PJSMP especially her friend across the hall, Mary Gosse.

In addition to her parents, Patrick and Annie Leonard, Kathleen was predeceased by her sister Theresa, her brothers Nick and Tim, and infant brothers Guy and Daniel.

The family would like to thank all those who helped Kathleen on her journey through life. Thank you to the Doctors and Nurses at Carbonear General Hospital who did everything possible to keep her with us during the past few weeks. Thank you to the staff of 2 North at PJSMP, the staff of Callingwood Downs and thank you to Kathleen’s home care workers who cared for and supported her over the years. Your care and support meant so much to her and to us. A special thank you to her brother-inlaw Gary who was always there to make sure she was able to come home on weekends for the past eight years.

Resting at Flaherty’s Memorial Funeral Home, 70 Conception Bay Highway, Conception Harbour, with visitation on Tuesday, March 12, from 1-9 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Immaculate Conception Church, Colliers on Wednesday, March 13, at 11 a.m.

Cremation to follow with inurnment at a later date.

Please visit: www.flahertysfuneralhome.ca to sign the memorial guest book or send a message of condolence.