Mary Clare Kelley Baggett Leonard

With great sadness, the family of Mary Clare Kelley Baggett Leonard announces her passing on Sunday, February 5, 2023 at the age of 95. Mary Clare passed away at her residence in Lafayette surrounded by her family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at 11am at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette, LA. Visitation will be held in the Cathedral prior to Mass from 9am to 11am. The Reverend Father Jude Halphen will conduct the funeral services. Burial will take place at Holy Mary Mother of God cemetery in Lafayette, LA following the funeral Mass. Mrs. Leonard was born in Lafayette to the late Herman Leo Kelley and Jeanne Marie Jeanmard. She was preceded in death by her brother Herman Kelley and her first husband of 33 years, Jerrel Leffel Baggett. She is survived by her husband of nearly 23 years, Euris Paul Leonard. Mary Clare was the proud mother of 4 children, Mary Jeannette Baggett Fong (Ray), James Michael Baggett, John Mark Baggett (Mary Ellen) and Jewell Baggett-Strehlau (John). She was blessed to have 3 step-children, Mark Leonard, Mary Ellen Baggett and Marcie Marty, 8 grandchildren, 9 step-grandchildren, and numerous great- grandchildren. Mary Clare enjoyed a long, beautiful life. She attended school at the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau for high school and college where she majored in English. She later completed her Master’s Degree in Library Sciences at LSU. After supporting her first husband’s military career around the globe, she used her talents to serve the students in the Diocese of Lafayette schools, Lafayette Parish School system and the University of Southwestern Louisiana and others for over 3 decades. After retirement, she married her second love, Euris Leonard. Euris and Mary Clare spent their retirement years enjoying travelling, dancing, gardening and spending time with their growing family. They were proud “parents” to their “angel” dog, Beau. Mary Clare had a passion for reading and was a wiz at crossword puzzles. She was very creative and had a tremendous talent for sewing, painting and crafts. Mary Clare and Euris would have celebrated 23 years of marriage on the date of her funeral. Euris will dearly miss his “beautiful, smart and kind woman”. Special thanks to her son, John Mark, daughter-in-law, Mary Ellen, step-daughter Marcie and son-in-law Tony for the special love and care given to her during her illness. The family also wants to extend our gratitude to Hope Hospice, Avanti Senior Living, and A Care Partner staff for the support they provided us. Personal condolences may be sent to the Baggett & Leonard families at: www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Mary Clare Kelley Baggett Leonard and her family were cared for and entrusted final arrangements to Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA. Copyright Delhomme Funeral Homes, Inc. February 2023

Mary Clare Kelley Baggett Leonard

August 1, 1927 - February 5, 2023