Laura Graham Leonard
Age 54
Branchburg
Laura Graham Leonard, 54, of Branchburg, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at home surrounded by family after battling metastatic bladder cancer for the past year.
Born in Newark, NJ on August 18, 1962, Laura grew up in Kenilworth, NJ, moving to Ridgefield, NJ after college, then settling in Branchburg after her marriagein 1997.
Laura earned her BA in communications from Douglass College in 1984 and her MBA in finance from Seton Hall University in 1994.
After college, Laura held several roles in the telecommunications industry until the birth of her son, Luke, when she fulfilled a lifelong dream of being a mom.
Later she fulfilled a second dream and passion for working with kids as owner / operator of ComputerTots. Most recently, she worked at Collabera, Inc. as a project manager.
Laura was a member of Immaculate Conception Church, Somerville, NJ where she also was a teacher of religious education for the Children’s Faith Formation. She also belonged to the St Joseph High School - Metuchen Women’s Club and was a member of Lavallette (NJ) Yacht Club.
Laura an avid cat lover and mom to Kate and Harry. She was also an avid fan of the Yankees and NY Giants – she especially loved cheering the Giants on while wearing her Phil Simms jersey.
Laura was a beautiful, charming and special being. She was witty, really bright, incredibly kind, spiritual and devoted to her most treasured role, mom to Luke. We will always remember her beautiful smile, big brown eyes, lively spirit, giggle in her voice and her lightness of being. We will miss her terribly.
Laura is survived by her loving husband of 19 years, Shawn Leonard and the love of her life, son, Luke. She is also survived by her parents, Marshall and Dolores Graham, siblings, Lisa Ten Eyck, husband Jim; Karen Oleson Keuler, husband Marc and Andrew Graham as well as niece, Jackie Thalman, husband Bill, son Dylan, Jake Oleson and Daniel Oleson.
She is also survived by her close friend since childhood, Dawn DeMayo, and her daughter (and Laura’s god daughter), Emma.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 9:30 am at Immaculate Conception Church, 35 Mountain Ave, Somerville.
A celebration of Laura’s life will be held after Mass at the Stoney Brook Grille, 1285 Route 28 (Easton Turnpike), Branchburg, NJ. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Laura's memory to the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (www.bcan.org) or Luke Leonard's college fund.
Age 54
Branchburg
Laura Graham Leonard, 54, of Branchburg, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at home surrounded by family after battling metastatic bladder cancer for the past year.
Born in Newark, NJ on August 18, 1962, Laura grew up in Kenilworth, NJ, moving to Ridgefield, NJ after college, then settling in Branchburg after her marriagein 1997.
Laura earned her BA in communications from Douglass College in 1984 and her MBA in finance from Seton Hall University in 1994.
After college, Laura held several roles in the telecommunications industry until the birth of her son, Luke, when she fulfilled a lifelong dream of being a mom.
Later she fulfilled a second dream and passion for working with kids as owner / operator of ComputerTots. Most recently, she worked at Collabera, Inc. as a project manager.
Laura was a member of Immaculate Conception Church, Somerville, NJ where she also was a teacher of religious education for the Children’s Faith Formation. She also belonged to the St Joseph High School - Metuchen Women’s Club and was a member of Lavallette (NJ) Yacht Club.
Laura an avid cat lover and mom to Kate and Harry. She was also an avid fan of the Yankees and NY Giants – she especially loved cheering the Giants on while wearing her Phil Simms jersey.
Laura was a beautiful, charming and special being. She was witty, really bright, incredibly kind, spiritual and devoted to her most treasured role, mom to Luke. We will always remember her beautiful smile, big brown eyes, lively spirit, giggle in her voice and her lightness of being. We will miss her terribly.
Laura is survived by her loving husband of 19 years, Shawn Leonard and the love of her life, son, Luke. She is also survived by her parents, Marshall and Dolores Graham, siblings, Lisa Ten Eyck, husband Jim; Karen Oleson Keuler, husband Marc and Andrew Graham as well as niece, Jackie Thalman, husband Bill, son Dylan, Jake Oleson and Daniel Oleson.
She is also survived by her close friend since childhood, Dawn DeMayo, and her daughter (and Laura’s god daughter), Emma.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 9:30 am at Immaculate Conception Church, 35 Mountain Ave, Somerville.
A celebration of Laura’s life will be held after Mass at the Stoney Brook Grille, 1285 Route 28 (Easton Turnpike), Branchburg, NJ. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Laura's memory to the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (www.bcan.org) or Luke Leonard's college fund.