Obituary: Margery Brennan Leonard

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Margery Brennan Leonard
Margery Brennan Leonard

SOUTHBURY — Mrs. Margery B. Leonard, 94, of Southbury, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016. She was the loving wife of the late Richard G. Leonard and had previously resided in Naugatuck and Beacon Falls.

Margery was born in Waterbury on June 28, l922, the daughter of the late William and Blanche Brennan. She was a graduate of Naugatuck High School, New Haven State Teachers College and Yale University where she earned her Masters of Arts Degree. Margery taught in Southbury and Beacon Falls before raising her family and pursuing her long and successful career as a writer and theater critic. As a child, Margery became fascinated with theater, attending plays at the Shubert and in New York City with her aunt. This led to her passion to attend and review Broadway shows and other productions in New York and in London.

Volunteer work at the United Way introduced Margery to others who would open doors for more writing opportunities. Margery has been published in New York Magazine and worked on two trade works, Houses and Home Buying. She served as the social editor of The Naugatuck Daily News, and wrote art and theatre reviews for The Waterbury Republican-American. Margery was one of the founding members of the Friends of the Library at the Howard Whittemore Memorial Library of Naugatuck, served as second vice president of The Women’s Study Club of Naugatuck, was a volunteer for the Naugatuck Chapter of the American Red Cross, and was a member of the Association of Yale Alumni (AYA). She also served on the Steering Committee and as a production assistant at Seven Angels Theatre of Waterbury, and was a member of the American Theatre Critics Association and the Connecticut Critics Circle. Margery also proudly served as an active voting member for the Outer Critics Circle, reviewing Broadway and off-Broadway productions for over twenty years.

Margery is survived by her daughters, Nancy Fray (Walter) and Lisa Leonard (Lucy), and her son, Zachary Leonard (Julia), along with her most beloved granddaughter, Lila Clarisse Leonard. She also leaves her beloved sister, Barbara Brennan Schaefer of Houston; her sisters-in-law, Joan Brennan of Beacon Falls and Mary Leonard of Marblehead, Mass., along with many adored and loved nieces and nephews with whom she shared many travel and theatre adventures. Margery also leaves her dear friends, Semina DeLaurentis, Ruth Gaylord and Natalie Mitchinson, who provided much love and support over many years. In addition to her husband and parents, Margery was predeceased by her son, Richard; and her brothers, Roger and Franklyn.

Margery’s family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the staff and administration of River Glen Health Care Center of Southbury for their loving, professional care over the last several months.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Sept. 16, 2016 at 10 a.m. at St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church, 25 Maple Ave., Beacon Falls, followed by burial in St. James Cemetery, Naugatuck. Friends are asked to please meet directly at the church. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Ave., Naugatuck.

To honor Margery’s memory, contributions may be made to Beacon Hose Company #1, 35 No. Main Street, Beacon Falls, CT 06403 or to Seven Angels Theatre, One Plank Road, Waterbury, CT 06705.

To leave an online condolence, visit www.buckmillerthurstonmengacci.com.