Jeanne Leach

Jeanne Leach (née Veronneau) of Saint Petersburg, Florida, formerly of Watertown and Litchfield, Connecticut, passed away on May 22 at 97 years young. She kept everyone laughing with her one-liners until nearly the end and was surrounded by the love of family and friends.

Jeanne was married to Irving Leach for nearly 60 years until his passing. She is survived by her daughter, Charlotte McKellar; her son, James Leach, and his wife, Lisa; her grandchildren, Heather McKellar and her husband, Powell May; Donald McKellar and his wife, Lauren, Suzanna Miller; Josiah Miller; and Mark Miller and his wife, Leah. She is also survived by 6 great grandchildren: Adriana, Olivia and Liam McKellar and Owen, Kaitlyn and Nora Miller.She is further survived by her sister Elizabeth (Betty), as well as many nieces, nephews and their families and dear friends who treated her as family.

Jeanne was the eldest of seven children, born in Waterbury, Connecticut, to the late Charles and Marie Veronneau. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her brothers Roger, Marcel, Paul, and Roland Veronneau, her sister, Arlene Bouthot, and her son-in-law William McKellar.

Jeanne went to Nursing school first earning her LPN License and then 19 years later her RN degree. Her career as a nurse included working for Dr Arthur Sullivan, various nursing homes and hospitals as well as private duty nursing. On her way to work she would pray “God you take care of me and I will take care of them”. Jeanne loved to travel and made friends and a little bit of trouble everywhere she went. She would proudly say do not invite me if you do not mean it because I will show up; she was always up for fun and friends. She loved a good book, especially a romance or mystery, and to paint with watercolors. She made a mean apple pie with “pucker power” but would gladly skip cooking and head out for dinner because she was “worth it”. Jeanne’s quick wit, great stories, and no-nonsense approach will be missed but not forgotten.

Jeanne will be laid to rest on June 10 at the Bay Pines National Cemetery in St. Petersburg, Florida. A mass at Saint Jude’s Cathedral Chapel at 10 am will proceed the internment. A service to celebrate her life will be held at Holy Disciples Church in Watertown, CT on June 24 at 4pm. Dinner will follow at the Watertown Country Club. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association or PBS