Obituary of Marie Joyce Leonard

Mrs. Marie Joyce Leonard entered into rest January 12, 2025, in Phoenix, Arizona. Marie Joyce is survived by son Dan Leonard and his wife Claudia of Oroville, daughter Dawn Andersen and her husband Rick of Santa Cruz, son James Leonard and his wife Debbie of Central Point, Oregon, grandchildren; Dan, Jacqueline, Sean, Jimmy, Christopher, Joshua, Jessica, sisters Bev Ohrer of Springfield, OR, Jeanette Franucchi of San Jose, brother David Portillo of Alaska. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 53 years, Floyd Leonard, in 2006 and brother Richard Portillo in 1960. Marie Joyce was a native of San Mateo and was raised in Redwood City where she graduated high school. She came from a family of talented violinist; everyone had a violin. When Marie was 5 years old her grandmother gave her a violin when she went to her first orphanage. She took it with her to her first foster home, when she moved again she asked her foster mother if she could keep the violin and her foster mother said no, that was the last she saw of her violin. At the age of 12 Marie learned to play the piano, a talent that has blessed her throughout her life, as well as others. During high school she was an avid dancer, dancing tap, folk, ballet and a myriad of other styles. At the age of 16 she had the wonderful opportunity of dancing in the San Francisco Opera House. After high school she worked for Stanford Hospital. She met the love of her life, Floyd Leonard, in 1947. They were married July 28, 1953. Their family lived throughout the Bay Area, South Bay and moved to Soquel in 1975 to be near Floyd's parents. She and Floyd loved cruising and taking trips to Reno and Lake Tahoe. She worked locally for Watsonville Community Hospital for 22 years; working in sterile processing and distribution before retiring in the year 2000. Marie also took various business and medical classes at Cabrillo College. She enjoyed playing bingo with her friends at the Mid-County Senior Center and spending time painting with watercolors and mosaic art. Devoted, loving and caring, she will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Dominican Hospital, 1555 Soquel Dr., Santa Cruz, CA 95065, the American Cancer Society and the Diabetes Foundation.