Concetta “Connie” Leonard

White River Jct., Vt. — Concetta “Connie” Leonard, 90, died Saturday morning, July 23, 2016, at the Cedar Hill Health Care Center in Windsor, Vt. She had made her home at Cedar Hill following declining health, and was cared for by very kind and loving staff, for which her family is grateful.

Connie was born on Dec. 8, 1925 in White River Junction, the daughter of Anthony and Louise (Romano) Scelza. Connie grew up on South Main Street with her large Italian family and many friends. On Dec. 8, 1948, she married Ed Leonard, and they settled in Woodstock. Ed died in 1988. Connie moved back to White River Junction in 1995.

She attended Hartford High School, and graduated with the class of 1943. Following graduation, she worked for Williams Laundry in West Lebanon, N.H., and then New England Telephone Co. in White River Junction. In 1950, Connie became a Windsor County Deputy Sherriff, and worked for Sheriff Melvin Pete Moore at the Windsor County Jail in Woodstock. Connie was hired by the State of Vermont in 1969, as a Correctional Officer at the Woodstock Correctional Facility, and continued working there until 1995 when she retired. Connie was respected and well liked by fellow officers, supervisors and inmates alike.

Connie was a member of Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church in Woodstock, and St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in White River Junction and a member of the VFW Auxiliary Post # 2571. She was an avid Boston sports fan, supporting all teams hailing from that city. Connie held all Law Enforcement in the highest esteem. As a life-long Vermont Democrat, she was a supporter of Hillary Clinton when she was able to follow the news.

She is survived by her three children, Anthony Leonard of Hartland, Linda Nordman of White River Junction, Mary Alice Leonard-Heath and husband, John Heath of White River Junction; grandchildren, John and Patrick (Allison) Leonard, Iris Johnson (Steele) and Lili Leonard-Heath and Joshua (Katie) and Jeremiah (Jessica) Nordman. She was blessed with nine great-grandchildren. She had many nieces and nephews.

Connie is predeceased by her husband Ed, her beloved poodle Pepper, and all of her siblings: Anthony Scelza and Clyde Eastman, Rosanna Gillies, Jackie Gour, Angela Gravel, Josephine Coutemarsh, Angelo ‘Bromo’ Scelza, Richard ‘Bucky’ Scelza and Madeline Scelza.

There will be no viewing. A graveside service will be held Wednesday, July 27 at 2 p.m. at the Riverside Cemetery in Woodstock.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Cabot Funeral Home in Woodstock, and an online guest book can be found at cabotfh.com.