Elizabeth Elinor Leonhart's Obituary
Elizabeth (Betty) Elinor Shewman Leonhart, born July 30, 1931 in Toronto, Ontario, passed away Saturday, March 21, 2026 at her home in Palm Coast, Florida, surrounded by family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence (Peck) Jarvis Shewman and Daisy Irene Ross Shewman, her brother Gerald (Gerry) Murray Shewman (2008), her sister Wendy Shewman Arbuckle (2025), her husband Lloyd (Lou) Frederick Leonhart (1994), and her daughters, Sharon Leonhart Ogle (2011) and Susan Leonhart Stokes Evans (2014).Betty married Lou on March 15, 1954 and in June 1964 they moved their young family from Ontario to Riverview, Florida. Throughout her life Betty lived in Ontario, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Florida, Virginia and North Carolina.Betty was a voracious reader, a crossword puzzle enthusiast, an animal lover and advocate, and an avid traveler throughout her life, especially after she lost her husband in 1994. She loved her many adventures, including cruises, road trips, train trips, hot air ballooning and skydiving at 75!
A dedicated mother and grandmother, our Queen loved nothing more than “holding court” and regaling us all with stories and anecdotes of her travels and adventures and visiting with family.Shortly after her husband’s death, Betty moved back to Canada and then wintered with her daughter and son-in-law in Tampa and later Palm Coast until the fall of 2021, when she moved back to Florida permanently. While living in Canada, Betty volunteered her time with Community Care Northumberton, providing transportation to local residents and also participating in delivering nutritious hot meals to residents through their Meals on Wheels program.Betty lived a long and fearless life giving her time and energy to others and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her and loved her.
Betty is survived by two daughters, Shelley Leonhart Gwynn (Robert) of Abington, MA and Sandra Leonhart Mallard (John) of Palm Coast, FL, many, many grandchildren, great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren!Betty’s cremains will be interred with her husband Lou at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain, NC in a small private ceremony, at a later date.
Heritage Funeral and Cremation Service is assisting the family with arrangements.
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