Obituary of Phyllis Dusenbury Leonard

PHYLLIS DUSENBURY LEONARD

June 16, 1922 – June 17, 2023

Phyllis Dusenbury Leonard, of Winter Haven, FL and formerly of Glens Falls, NY, Wallingford, CT, and Cobleskill, NY, passed away peacefully at Life Care Center of Winter Haven, FL on June 17, 2023, one day after her 101 st birthday.

Born in Port Chester, NY, to Bradley and Helene Dusenbury, the youngest of three daughters, Phyllis graduated from Cobleskill Central High School and went on to attend Russell Sage College where she met and married Robert Landon, a graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

During her 27 year marriage to Robert, Phyllis was busy raising two children, singing in the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church choir, volunteering at the West Haven VA Medical Center, and working as the Registrar of Voters of Wallingford, CT for 14 years.

Following her divorce from Robert, she reconnected with a childhood friend, Stewart Leonard and they married in 1973 and retired to Winter Haven, FL in 1979. Life was filled with Grace Lutheran Church choir (40 years), many rounds of golf (capped by a hole in one in 1986) and visits from children and grandchildren.

Phyllis will be remembered for her creativity in the form of her sewing, paintings, and especially her poetry. Christmas meant a different poem that she began to craft in June and would be sent to hundreds of friends and family members. She had a determination of spirit and can do attitude that was stellar. When hearing of her passing, one niece wrote: “Our family has lost its peacock.” And her grandnephew wrote: “She was a hoot!”

Phyllis is survived by her daughter, Catherine (Herb) Baker, son, Michael (Marie) Landon, stepson, Stewart (Mary) Leonard, Jr.; grandchildren, Jonathan Baker, Carolyn (Jon) Gilman, Thomas Jason, Alex Guy (Rachel) and Daniel Davidson (Hadley) Leonard and Martha (Justin) French; great grandchildren Jonathan Jr, and Julia Baker, Connor and Shane Gilman, Lily and Blake Leonard, and Penny and Thea French; nieces and nephews. Phyllis was predeceased by her parents, Bradley and Helene Dusenbury, husband, Stewart, and sisters, Jean Brown and Hope Kenny.

A special thank you from Phyllis’ family to all the healthcare workers that helped care for her during her 6 years at Life Care Center of Winter Haven, most especially to her devoted and loving roommate, Joni Doddemeade, and steadfast and gentle Hospice nurse, Dan Milton. It was so reassuring to know that you were by her side and watching over her.

There will be no funeral serives but a Celebration of Life and sharing of Nana/Aunt Phyllis stories will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Phyllis Leonard to: Grace Lutheran Church music program; 327 Ave. C SE, Winter Haven, FL 33880.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Phyllis Leonard, please visit Tribute Store