Myrtle Judith Shaheen Leonard
Myrtle Judith Shaheen Leonard, of Hamden, CT departed this life on July 23, 2013. She was the daughter of Joseph and Cora (Copeland) Shaheen. She was predeceased by her husband and best friend, Ira Marshall Leonard. Myrtle was born in Providence , RI on September 4, 1936 , and grew up in Cranston . She graduated Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA with a BA in History and received her MA in history from NYU in 1964. She lived in Queens , NY with her husband, Ira, until they moved to Hamden in 1968. She loved teaching and started at Lindenhurst High School on Long Island. After moving to Hamden in 1968, she stayed home to raise her children, and returned to teaching as an adjunct lecturer in history at Southern Connecticut State University from 1979-2002. She also taught courses at the University of New Haven and was the Hamden Town Arts Coordinator in 1980-81. She served on various boards, task forces and committees for many organizations. She served as Scholarship Chairwoman for The New Haven Woman's Association from 1994-2004 and was also a member of The New Haveners. She is survived by her two wonderful, loving, sons and daughters-in-law, Andrew and Shersten (Killip), and Christopher and Buffy (Armstrong) and her precious grand twins, Benjamin and Sarah. She is survived by her sister, Nancy Sargeant and brothers, Thomas and Douglas Shaheen as well as brothers-in-law, Richard Sargeant, Joseph Maher and James Rodenmacher, nieces and nephews. The visiting hours will be Friday, July 26th, from 4 to 8 pm with a celebration of Myrtle's life at 7 PM at Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Avenue ., Hamden. The interment will be private. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, please, contributions in her memory may be made to the Myrtle S. Leonard Memorial Scholarship Fund. Contributions payable to: SCSU Foundation Inc., 501 Crescent St., New Haven, CT 06515. Please indicate in memo section, Myrtle S. Leonard Memorial Scholarship Fund.
All the above is true and one not mentioned she was a fun loving cousin, I especially enjoyed the time we spent on the phone amd as kids together in R.I., My only regret.. I did not have more time in person and on the phone. We often think of death as the end as in the mark of a period at the end of a sentence indicating the subject stopped, when in reality and from the promise Jesus and his father made it is only a comma, just a pause before going on to the next phase promised by our Heavenly Creator. That promise is the resurrection to life on a paradise earth, where cousin Myrt will awaken as if from a wonderful deep sleep to a earth filled with all that she loved and believed. No more Sickness, no more death therefore no more sorrow just love, joy, peace and cousin Myrt rising to see all her loved ones especially her children and grandchildren, what a delightful, wonderful happy time that will be for all of us. I willl do my best to live my life to be a part of that grand promise of a resurrection to life, I can hardly wait to welcome her back to life. Love you Cousin Myrt, see you soon. Cousin Jenny Copeland Holley
An incredibly warm, wonderful woman who’s memories will remain strong.
Andrew and family; Our deepest condolences on the loss of your Mom. She was a gentle, intelligent and kind woman whom I remember fondly. I wish I had taken the time to get to know her better. I’m sure we would have been friends.
Andrew, Christopher & Family Our deepest sympathy to all of you. We have fond memories of her, not only as a neighbor but a great person and friend. Our prayers go out to you and your families. I know she is at peace with her beloved Ira.
Andrew, Christopher & family, my sincere sympathy to you all. In the past few years since moving back to Hamden I have been fortunate to have been able to run into your Mom on numerous occasions and she has always been filled with such joy talking of you and your families. We also would reminiscence of the years all the neighborhood families would get together. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Andrew, I’m very sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. My deepest sympathy goes out to you and your entire family.
Andrew,Christopher and family Our deepest sympathy to you all. I was very fortunate to have had your mom as my friend, I now have so many precious memories of the fun times we all had together. Your mom was a kind and gentle person and she will be missed.
Chris, Andrew & family, I was saddened to hear the news of your mom’s passing. I want to let you know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Thinking of your mom has brought back some wonderful memories of my childhood and how she was such a great part of it. I remember your mom’s garden, playing wiffleball in the back yard, and helping your mom with her dinner parties. She was truly a wonderful woman!
Dear Andrew and family, we are so sorry for your loss feel blessed to have known your mother, and grateful for the time we spent with her in Montana. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Judy and Doug Smith
For my dearest friend: .Those we love don’t go away. They walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard but always near. Still loved, still missed and very dear.. unknown
I was sorry to hear about cousin Myrtle. It was always a joy to talk with her on the phone. Over the years we briefly kept in touch thru email and she would send me lovely pictures and video of the family. I am glad you were able to spend quality time with her and that she was able to enjoy another year with her family. May you find comfort in all the wonderful memories you have of her that may be related through family and friends as well as comfort from the scriptures which tell us that God will comfort us in our trials. 1 Corinthians 1:3. My love and my husbands sympathy for all the family at this sad time, Roger & cousin Helen (Copeland) DiQuinzio
Kind, compassionate, gracious and gentle. Full of fun and laughter. Then, now, and forever Myrtle is with me in thought and memory. Priscilla Doel Vassalboro, Maine Friend and room-mate in NYC
My deepest condolences to Chris,Buffy and family of Myrtle Judith Shaheen Leonard
My heart is filled with much sorrow to hear that my friend and former neighbor has passed away. The sorrow will slowly become wonderful memories of the time spent with Myrtle and the joy of sharing part of my life with her. She was a great lady! She will always be in my thoughts and prayers. My heart goes out to the family. Diana Rogers, former neighbor and friend.
Our deepest sympathies to all family members.
Over the years, we heard so many wonderful things about Myrt from her loving brother Doug. Our condolences to Myrt’s family and friends. Steven Abbott and Jim Stephens
So incredibly sorry to hear. All my best and most heartfelt wishes go out to Chris and the rest of the family.
We’ll miss you, dear friend, but precious memories can never be taken from us. You’ll be in our hearts forever. Roberta and Ken MacDonald, North Kingstown, RI