With great sadness, we announce the passing of Mary Leopardi, of Bear, Delaware on March 6th, 2023 after a long battle with metastatic breast cancer. She was 72.
She was born March 11th, 1950 in Sunnyside, Queens, NY to James and Edith Lawler. She moved to Elmhurst with her older brother Jimmy in 1954. Upon the passing of her mother at a very early age, the family was joined by Edith’s sister, Ceil who helped raise young Mary and Jimmy.
From her early days of getting in trouble for her teased hair and speaking to her male friends during recess at Resurrection Ascension, she always lived her life on her own terms. After attending Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School she married in 1972 and is survived by her 3 children, Stanley, Karen and Kathleen.
Mary met Patrick Leopardi in 1997. They moved to Bear, Delaware in 1999 and found the perfect house with their backyard overlooking a beautiful farm. Even more beautiful than the view were their new neighbors, “Farmer” Carl (as the grandkids call him) and his wife Peggy. A good neighbor is truly a found treasure.
On July 24th, 2014, Mary and Pat married in a small ceremony surrounded by their family. They both worked hard on their house to make it their home - painting, remodeling, gardening, and even building a stone patio together. Mary never turned away from a challenge and would tackle any project around the house with ease.
She held many jobs throughout her life but her favorite job by far was her role as “Nana.” She began that job with the birth of her first grandchild and the following 14 years have been filled with family, fun and laughter. Mary lived for her children and grandchildren. From making Halloween costumes for her young children to crafting beautiful christening gowns for her grandchildren, her hands were always creating something new and beautiful for those she loved.
She will be missed by her loving husband Pat; her brother James; her three children and their spouses Stan and Kimberly Pratnicki, Karen and Kevin Doyle and Kathleen and Matt Doyle; and six grandchildren Sean, Maggie, Ryan, Katie, William and Ben.
Mary’s burial will be private but please join us in celebrating her life at McCrery & Harra Funeral Home at 3710 Kirkwood Highway in Wilmington, DE on Wednesday, March 8th from 2pm-5pm.
Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation athttps://give.bcrf.org/fundraiser/4498930Messages of condolence are welcomed at https://www.mccreryandharra.com/obituaries/
