Dr. Patricia “Patty” Mae (Mace) Leonard, 84, of Hagerstown, MD, went to be with the Lord Jesus, Oct. 25, 2023, in the care of Gilchrist Center in Columbia. Born Jan. 14, 1939, in Weston, WV, she was the daughter of the late Andrew Harold and Goldie Elizabeth (Corathers) Mace.
Patty grew up in LaVale, and attended Allegany High School until her senior year. The family then moved back to Weston due to her father’s health. She graduated from Weston High School in 1957. Patty graduated from Glenville State College in 1961 with a degree in Elementary Education and she graduated from the University of West Virginia with her Master’s degree. She married Cordell L. Leonard on March 26, 1961, and they both began their teaching careers in Parkersburg, W.Va.
In 1965, the couple moved to Hagerstown. Maryland, Patty taught at the following schools: Williamsport Elementary, Springfield Middle, as a vice principal at Bester, and as a principal at Surry, Pleasant Valley, Conococheague, and Funkstown. During this time Patty completed her Dr. degree from Nova Southeast University of Florida. She was an Adjunct Professor at Frostburg University. She was a founding member and president of the local Maryland Sigma Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa and founding sister of Phi Chapter. In 1983, she was awarded the Maryland Alpha Delta Kappa scholarship while pursuing her doctorate degree. In 1994, Patty was awarded the P.T.A. Life membership at Lincolnshire Elementary.
She represented Maryland ADK in 2006 at the groundbreaking and dedication ceremonies of the new Salem School building. In 2010, she was elected as a member of the Executive Board of Directors for Salem Children’s Trust, in Garrett County, our State Altruistic Project of ADK. In 2012, she received the ADK Gladys Spellman Award for making significant contributions to the education profession. In 2017, she received the Southeast Regional Excellence in Education Award from ADK. She was an active member of the Childrens Village of Washington County and served as the educational coordinator for over 25 years. Patty oversaw a scholarship, Patricia Mace-Leonard Scholarship, through ADK.
Patty was a member and Sunday school teacher at Grace United Methodist Church in Hagerstown. She dedicated her life to the Lord when she was 13 at a Fort Hill High School Revival.
She is survived by her husband, Cordell Leonard; daughter, Elizabeth Kim and husband, Preston; son, Jonathan Leonard; three grandchildren, Daniel, Sarah, and Abigail Kim; brother, Andrew H. Mace Jr. and wife, Carol; brother-in-law, Robert and Edward Leonard; nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m., on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, at Grace United Methodist Church, 712 W. Church St., Hagerstown.
A visitation will be held from 6 to 9 p.m., Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at Minnich Funeral Home, 415 E. Wilson Blvd., Hagerstown.
Burial will take place at 1 p.m., Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, at the Weston Masonic Cemetery, Weston, W.Va.
Memorial donations may be sent to: Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, N.C. 28607, or to: Grace United Methodist Church, 712 W. Church St., Hagerstown, Md. 21740.
https://obituaries.times-news.com/obituary/dr-patricia-leonard-1088982866
Lineage: Patricia Mae (Mace)Leonard(8), Goldie Elizabeth (Corathers) Mace(7), Minnie (Clark) Corathers(6), Matetia Gay (Bush) Clark(5), Cecelia Beverly (Jackson) Bush(4), Jacob Jay Jackson(3), John Jackson Jr.(2), John(1) and Elizabeth Cummins Jackson.