Obituary of Carolyn Leonard

Carolyn Anne (Sobotka) Leonard, 82, of Syracuse, NY and Pinellas Park, FL, passed away peacefully on November 24, 2023. She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Stella Sobotka, and the love of her life, William “Billy” Leonard Jr., whom she married and celebrated 52 years together. Carolyn was born in Syracuse and graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in 1959. She went on to Syracuse University, where she graduated with an accounting degree.

Carolyn was the President of the Syracuse Chapter of Juvenile Diabetes Foundation (now known as JDRF) in the 1970s and remained active for years after. She taught religion classes at Sacred Heart and St. Charles for more than a decade. In addition, Carolyn helped with Boy and Girl Scouts and chaperoned her children’s class outings. Carolyn was an ACBL Life Master bridge player. She worked doing payroll for numerous companies while her children were growing up. Once they were older, she worked for the IRS for several years teaching small business tax preparation and helping the public prepare their taxes. Boy, did she know every tax loophole!

Carolyn cruised the CNY Canal System during her married life with Billy and their family on the Polish Taurean 1, 2, 3, and 4, where she made countless lifetime friends along the many years and miles of water. Carolyn was content spending winters in Florida without the New York snow. Her pride was raising three children: Deborah Leonard-Sandore (Art), William III (Jean), and Eric (Laura). She spent as much time as possible with her seven grandchildren: Audrey (Ryan Cleland) Sandore, Jennifer Sandore, Jason, Jessica, Caroline, Weston, and William Leonard, who will all miss making Chrusciki and Pierogi with her. Her most recent Duck-Duck-Goose partners were great grandsons: Reis, Roman, and Ambrose Cleland. She is survived by sisters Kathleen (Bill) Meyer and Cynthia (George) Sobotka-Briner, as well as sister-in-law, Eleanor Leonard, along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins. They will all forever cherish her guidance and love.

Contributions in memory of Carolyn can be made to the Syracuse Chapter JDRF at PO Box 5053, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5053 or Singers Society at 4040 Route 11, Onondaga Nation, Nedrow, NY 13120.

A Catholic Mass and Celebration of Life will be held at a warmer, later date for Carolyn.