Barbara T. (O'Leary) Leon

Barbara T. (O’Leary) Leon of Alexandria, VA passed away peacefully on Friday, August 12, 2022, surrounded by her loving son and daughter-in-law.  She was 79 years old.

The eldest child of the late Arthur J. and Mary E. (Connolly) O’Leary, Barb was born and raised in Boston, MA but Mount Vernon, VA had been her home for many years.

After graduating from Saint Clare High School in Roslindale, MA, Barb earned her Dental Assistant certificate at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston and then worked in that capacity in Jamaica Plain for four years before marrying.  She was well prepared for her new role as a Navy wife. She was always supportive, loving and resilient.  She faced every challenge presented to her and her family with determination and grace. Often alone as her husband was deployed at sea for months at a time, her job was to keep the family anchored, safe and functioning as they moved around the country and overseas to such destinations as Rota, Spain; St. Simons Island, GA; Glynco, GA; Freemont, CA; Kirkland, WA; Whidbey Island, WA; Naples, Italy and Washington, D.C.  Once settled in Mount Vernon, VA Barb managed a series of Hallmark stores in the Alexandria area making use of her engaging personality, attention to detail and extensive organizational skills.  Never wanting to be the center of attention, she always worked tirelessly to support her family and friends in creative ways to show her love. She enjoyed creating arts and crafts including pottery, painting, knitting, sewing, needlework, crocheting and quilting. She loved life, deeply cherished her family and friends and accepted everyone without judgement.

Barb is survived by her son Kenneth F. Leon, Jr. (Carolyn, her children James and Krista) and her daughter Patricia Clevenger (Curt), and her grandchildren Nicholas and Emily Clevenger all of Alexandria, VA.  She is also survived by her sister Patricia Fiske of Grover Beach, CA and her brother Arthur O’Leary (Pamela) of Monroe, CT and many devoted nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Barbara’s visitation on Saturday October 1, 2022, from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm at Kfoury Keefe Funeral Home, with a graveside funeral service to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in West Roxbury at 12:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the Walk to End Alzheimer’s through the Aldersgate Support Group team: http://act.alz.org/goto/AldersgateSupportGroupTeam  (Link available in DONATIONS below.)

Walk to End Alzheimer’s through the Aldersgate Support Group team:
Web: http://act.alz.org/goto/AldersgateSupportGroupTeam