Obituary for Mildred Marie Leonard (Semanchik)
Mildred Leonard Obituary
October 16, 2021
Mildred Marie Leonard (nee Semanchik) died peacefully surrounded by the love of her family on October 16, 2021. Mildred was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey on October 1, 1927 to Frances and Andrew Semanchik. She was the oldest of five siblings and graduated from Battin High School. She went on to work at Schnitzer Alloy Products Company where she met her future husband Carroll Eugene (Gene) Leonard. They purchased and renovated their Cranford home and raised their three children in the wonderful family community of Sunny Acres. Mildred remained in their Cranford home for 63 years. In 2016, Mildred moved to Bordentown, New Jersey to be closer to her family.
Mildred loved to travel the world and prided herself on climbing the Great Wall of China, seeing the Egyptian Pyramids, walking Red Square in Moscow and walking on the glaciers in Norway. Best of all, Mildred loved sitting on the promenade in Cape May watching “her Ferry”. Mildred also loved gardening, crocheting, making greeting cards for her family, sewing, cooking and baking. She was a beautiful swimmer and diver – starting with Lake Solitude in High Bridge. In her later years, Mildred enjoyed relaxing on her screened-in back porch. Dogs held a very special place in Mildred’s heart especially Jamie, Brook and Evie Mae.
Her greatest joy in life was her family. Mildred loved celebrations particularly birthdays. She loved all of it – the singing, the cake and clapping when the candles were blown out. Among her many family trailer trips, in 1969, the Leonard’s rented a trailer and drove across the US. She enjoyed listening to her children playing in their backyard pool. In 1996, she accompanied Sue to bring Hope home from China. Over the years, she made countless trips to Michigan to be with Jim and his family celebrating all their important milestones. As a silver lining to Covid, Mildred lived with Cathy for the better part of the last two years. This was a very special time for them and Cathy was blessed and lucky to have her. Best of all, Mildred brought her entire family to her beloved Bermuda to celebrate her 90th birthday.
Mildred truly spent her life in service of others. Starting in the 1970’s, she co-founded the Saint John the Apostle school library. She rose to the highest level in nearly every philanthropic and civic organization she was a member of: New Jersey Federation of Women’s Clubs, the Cranford Village Improvement Association, Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary, Sixth District Past Presidents Club, Douglass College Parents Association, Mother Seton Regional Parents Organization and Raphael’s Life House. She cooked for the homeless at Saint Helen’s Parish and delivered Meals on Wheels in Union County.
Mildred is predeceased by her beloved husband Gene and brothers Andrew and Bruce. She will be greatly missed by her loving children James (Susan), Susan and Cathy Ann, her grandchildren Claire, John, Keith and Hope Elisabeth, and her sister Barbara and brother Edward as well as many God sons and God daughters, nieces and nephews.
To honor Mildred’s memory and her expressed wishes, in lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to The Seeing Eye (https://www.seeingeye.org/you-can-help/), Best Friends of Cranford NJ (https://www.petfinder.com/member/us/nj/cranford/best-friend-dog-and-animal-adoption-inc-nj70/), Burlington County Animal Alliance (https://bcaaofnj.org/donate/) or the dog rescue of your choice.
A Mass of the resurrection will be celebrated on Thursday October 28, 2021 11:00 am at Mary Mother of the church Parish 45 Crosswicks St. Bordentown NJ 08505. Calling hours will be held Wednesday from 6:00 ~ 8:00 pm and on Thursday morning from 9:30 am ~ 10:30 am at the Bordentown Home for Funerals 40 Crosswicks St. Bordentown. Burial will be private.
At the family's request masks must be worn in the funeral home during the visitation and in church during Mass.
Friends and Family who can not attend may watch Mildred's Mass on Live Stream by clicking
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15Z7fOvjnSo
Arrangements are under the direct care and supervision of Robert L. Pecht, Bordentown Home for Funerals 40 Crosswicks St. Bordentown, NJ 08505. Please go to Mildred’s Book of memories page at www.Bordentownhomeforfunerals.com for arrangement information and direction, to upload a picture, make a donation or offer condolences to the family.
October 16, 2021
Mildred Marie Leonard (nee Semanchik) died peacefully surrounded by the love of her family on October 16, 2021. Mildred was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey on October 1, 1927 to Frances and Andrew Semanchik. She was the oldest of five siblings and graduated from Battin High School. She went on to work at Schnitzer Alloy Products Company where she met her future husband Carroll Eugene (Gene) Leonard. They purchased and renovated their Cranford home and raised their three children in the wonderful family community of Sunny Acres. Mildred remained in their Cranford home for 63 years. In 2016, Mildred moved to Bordentown, New Jersey to be closer to her family.
Mildred loved to travel the world and prided herself on climbing the Great Wall of China, seeing the Egyptian Pyramids, walking Red Square in Moscow and walking on the glaciers in Norway. Best of all, Mildred loved sitting on the promenade in Cape May watching “her Ferry”. Mildred also loved gardening, crocheting, making greeting cards for her family, sewing, cooking and baking. She was a beautiful swimmer and diver – starting with Lake Solitude in High Bridge. In her later years, Mildred enjoyed relaxing on her screened-in back porch. Dogs held a very special place in Mildred’s heart especially Jamie, Brook and Evie Mae.
Her greatest joy in life was her family. Mildred loved celebrations particularly birthdays. She loved all of it – the singing, the cake and clapping when the candles were blown out. Among her many family trailer trips, in 1969, the Leonard’s rented a trailer and drove across the US. She enjoyed listening to her children playing in their backyard pool. In 1996, she accompanied Sue to bring Hope home from China. Over the years, she made countless trips to Michigan to be with Jim and his family celebrating all their important milestones. As a silver lining to Covid, Mildred lived with Cathy for the better part of the last two years. This was a very special time for them and Cathy was blessed and lucky to have her. Best of all, Mildred brought her entire family to her beloved Bermuda to celebrate her 90th birthday.
Mildred truly spent her life in service of others. Starting in the 1970’s, she co-founded the Saint John the Apostle school library. She rose to the highest level in nearly every philanthropic and civic organization she was a member of: New Jersey Federation of Women’s Clubs, the Cranford Village Improvement Association, Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary, Sixth District Past Presidents Club, Douglass College Parents Association, Mother Seton Regional Parents Organization and Raphael’s Life House. She cooked for the homeless at Saint Helen’s Parish and delivered Meals on Wheels in Union County.
Mildred is predeceased by her beloved husband Gene and brothers Andrew and Bruce. She will be greatly missed by her loving children James (Susan), Susan and Cathy Ann, her grandchildren Claire, John, Keith and Hope Elisabeth, and her sister Barbara and brother Edward as well as many God sons and God daughters, nieces and nephews.
To honor Mildred’s memory and her expressed wishes, in lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to The Seeing Eye (https://www.seeingeye.org/you-can-help/), Best Friends of Cranford NJ (https://www.petfinder.com/member/us/nj/cranford/best-friend-dog-and-animal-adoption-inc-nj70/), Burlington County Animal Alliance (https://bcaaofnj.org/donate/) or the dog rescue of your choice.
A Mass of the resurrection will be celebrated on Thursday October 28, 2021 11:00 am at Mary Mother of the church Parish 45 Crosswicks St. Bordentown NJ 08505. Calling hours will be held Wednesday from 6:00 ~ 8:00 pm and on Thursday morning from 9:30 am ~ 10:30 am at the Bordentown Home for Funerals 40 Crosswicks St. Bordentown. Burial will be private.
At the family's request masks must be worn in the funeral home during the visitation and in church during Mass.
Friends and Family who can not attend may watch Mildred's Mass on Live Stream by clicking
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15Z7fOvjnSo
Arrangements are under the direct care and supervision of Robert L. Pecht, Bordentown Home for Funerals 40 Crosswicks St. Bordentown, NJ 08505. Please go to Mildred’s Book of memories page at www.Bordentownhomeforfunerals.com for arrangement information and direction, to upload a picture, make a donation or offer condolences to the family.