Anita S. Leonard

Old Town - Anita S Leonard, 81 passed away peacefully on May 10, 2012 surrounded by her loving family. She was born on August 31, 1930 in Stillwater, the daughter of Herbert E and Amber (Warren) Sargent.

Anita was a lifelong resident of Stillwater and Old Town, and graduated from Old Town High School in 1949 at the top of her class. She continued her education at Cornell University, where she was also a Pi Beta Phi sorority member, and graduated in 1953. She maintained affiliation with Cornell through her sorority chapter and many years as the Cornell University Alumni Representative for Admissions in Maine. While at Cornell, she continued to build the most wonderful relationship of her life with her high school sweetheart, love of her life, West Pointer, and eventual husband, Ralph E. Leonard. Prior to her graduation from Cornell, she became a proud member of the “OAO” Society of West Point, (“One And Only” for a West Point Cadet for 4 years), much to the grateful pleasure of Ralph. The two were married the summer after her graduation from Cornell and spent five years at various air bases abroad and in the United States where Ralph flew as an Air Force pilot and officer, and they began their family together.In 1957 they returned to Stillwater and Old Town to raise their family and begin their careers, and a life-long commitment to their community, state, friends, and family. Anita’s community and charitable involvement was vast, heartfelt, and overly generous, including board or director positions with the Maine Community Foundation, Old Town – Orono YMCA Heritage Club, Old Town Library League, University of Maine Foundation, (she was an honorary U. Maine alumnus), the Community Health and Counseling Center, the Air National Guard Wives Association and as corporator for Bangor Savings Bank.She loved her church and volunteered thousands of hours to the good work and causes of the Stillwater Federated Church and the Old Town United Methodist Church and for decades and served in multiple board capacities and as a repeat lay representative to the United Methodist New England Conference. She beautifully sang in her church choir throughout her adult life alongside many dear friends/choir members. In addition to her churches, she also volunteered thousands of hours to the Eastern Maine Medical Center Auxiliary where her glowing contagious smile and wonderful personality brought joy and comfort to countless patients and visitors. Anita’s compassion and commitment to her community were very evident in the formation of Acadia Hospital in Bangor, where she and her husband were driving forces in its development.

Above all, Anita absolutely loved and cherished her family and enjoyed many beautiful summers at Cold Stream Pond with her husband, children and their spouses, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and many many friends where every day was a treasure and reunion. Anita was predeceased by her parents, Herbert and Amber, and a son Ralph Jr. (Rick). She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 59 years, Ralph E. Leonard; children, Lynda, of Stillwater, Kerri Ellison, husband Tom, and their children Kaitlin, Patrick, Meaghan and Meredith of Easton, PA, Kent, wife Lisa, and their children Joseph, Jacob, Jaron, Jackson, and Julianne of Holden, Laurena Reichel, husband Fred, and their children Kent, Kristina, and Melissa of Hampden. Also, surviving Anita are her sisters Virginia Gowen of Portsmouth, NH, Calista Hannigan and husband Earl of Holden, Marvia Meagher and husband Michael of Hampden, brother James Sargent of Jupiter, Fl and Carmel, Me, and many loved nieces and nephews of three generations. The family gratefully acknowledges the wonderful care provided for Anita by the doctors, nurses, and staff of Eastern Maine Medical Center. Relatives and friends are welcomed to call 4 to 7pm , Sunday, May 13 at Birmingham Funeral Home, 438 Main St. Old Town, ME. A “celebration of life” service will be held at 11am, Monday, May 14 at the Old Town United Methodist Church with Paster Joan DeSanctis officiating. Graveside services will follow at Lawndale Cemetery. Following services, the family invites relatives and friends for conversation and refreshments at the Black Bear Inn, Orono, Me.In lieu of flowers, those who wish may remember Anita through a charitable contribution of their choice or to one of Anita’s special causes; Old Town United Methodist Church, Choir and Youth Services, 744 Stillwater Ave, Old Town, Me. 04468; Palliative Care Services at EMMC, or Acadia Hospital, both care of Healthcare Charities, PO Box 931, Bangor, ME 04402-0931, or visit www.healthcarecharities.org

Notes of condolence can be left at birminghamfuneralhome.com