Rose Marie Leonard

Rose (Hayes) Leonard (August 31st 1941–October 26th 2023)

Rose (Hayes) Leonard of South Boston, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on October 26th 2023. 

Rose raised seven children in South Boston where she was the President of the West Broadway Task Force. She also worked for the Boston Police Department and was a crossing guard at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. Rose owned and operated a Sports Memorabilia Store, Extra Innings, in East Providence, RI. although her most important job was being a loving wife, mother, and nana to five generations. Rose’s greatest love in  life was her family.

Rose and her late husband, Robert Leonard, were married for 38 years. She was the loving mother of Theresa and her husband Jack Cherry of South Boston, Wendy and her late husband Ralph Willis of Maine, Thomas Hayes Jr of Brockton, Pamela and her late husband James Madonna of Sandwich, Kevin Hayes of Brockton, Frank Hayes of Brockton, Nora and her husband Ernest Risti of Bridgewater, New Jersey. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren, who all know her as “Nana” and “Nana Roses”. Rose is also survived by numerous loving nieces and nephews.

She was the daughter of Anna and Larry Brown, sister of Anna, Lulu, and Carlo of Taunton, Joey of Quincy, Margaret of South Boston, Larry of Roslindale and the late Walter, Roy, and Tommy.

Visiting hours at the Spencer Funeral Home (575 E Broadway, Boston, MA 02127) will be Sunday, October 29th from 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. On Monday, October 30th at 10:00 A.M, the services will begin at the Spencer Funeral Home followed by Mass at 11:00 A.M. to be held at Gate of Heaven Church in South Boston, 609 E. Fourth St. South Boston. Funeral Mass will be livestreamed at www.GateofHeavenStBrigid.org