Janet M. Leonard

Janet Mary Leonard, known by many names—Mimi, Auntie Muffie, and simply Mom to her family and friends—passed away peacefully on March 28, 2025, at the age of 88, in Weymouth, Massachusetts. After a battle with cancer, she left this world surrounded by the love of her children.

Born on October 26, 1936, in Boston, Massachusetts, Janet was the youngest—and last surviving—of twelve siblings in the spirited Brooks family. She carried that legacy with pride, eventually becoming the cherished matriarch of an ever-growing family.

The love of her life, Jack Leonard, shared 63 devoted years of marriage with Janet. Jack preceded her passing just over a year ago, a fact Janet never quite forgave him for. In the final months of her life, she often spoke of looking forward to reuniting with him—mostly, she claimed, to give him a good talking-to for going ahead without her.

Janet was a loving mother to Michael Leonard of Portland, ME and former wife Lois Leonard of Dedham, Kelly Zack and her husband John of Hopkinton, Mark Leonard and his wife Beth of Scituate, Julie Piantedosi of Canton, and the late Christopher Leonard, and his widow Colleen of Hanson—along with dozens of beloved nieces and nephews who each held a special place in her heart.

It cannot be overstated how deeply she admired and adored her grandchildren: Amanda, Molly, Marykate, Emma, Jackson, Aidan, Dylan, Griffin, Clayton, Tess, Avery, Shaelyn, Cameron, and Sarah. The latest additions, her great-granddaughters Mia and Olivia Leonard, brought her enormous joy. Her grandchildren were her pride and delight—frequent subjects of glowing conversation and well-timed bragging rights—and they surrounded her with love and laughter in her final days.

Janet’s educational journey was one of grit and generosity. A proud graduate of Mission High in Roxbury, she continued on to the Catherine Laboure School of Nursing in Milton. In a move both bold and ahead of its time, Janet returned to school as a mother of five to earn her Master of Science in Nursing at Northeastern University. She went on to serve more than 20 years in the NICU at St. Margaret’s Hospital in Dorchester, later transitioning to pediatric care at a local Weymouth practice until her well-earned retirement.

More than her professional accolades, Janet was the family’s go-to healthcare guru, offering medical advice, calm reassurance, and the occasional firm instruction (delivered with love, of course). Especially for the new and expectant mothers in the family, she was a lifeline of practical knowledge and emotional strength. That nurturing spirit became her quiet mission, and remains a central part of her legacy.

Janet’s life was one of thoughtful service, fierce love, and spirited joy. Her wisdom guided her family through both celebrations and storms. Her presence—a mix of warmth, candor, and occasional mischief—will be deeply missed but forever remembered.

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at McDonald Keohane Funeral Home, 809 Main Street, South Weymouth, MA 02190.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 10:30 AM at Immaculate Conception Parish, 720 Broad Street, Weymouth, MA. The funeral mass will be celebrated by one of Janet's favorite people and deeply loved and admired family friend Father Ron Coyne.

As we bid farewell to Janet Mary Leonard, we celebrate a life of extraordinary grace, devotion, and laughter. Her impact on her family, her community, and all who had the privilege of knowing her will be cherished always.