Patricia A. Leonard

Patricia Ann Schoenfelder Leonard 7/5/35-5/14/25

Patricia Ann Leonard, “Pat’, surrounded by loved ones, peacefully passed on Wednesday May 14, 2025. She was just two months shy of her 90th birthday. Her last two days were spent resting under a fluffy blanket, gazing out through a large picture window in her daughter’s Idaho home, watching the horses and swaying green pasture grasses that were similar to the small Minnesota farm where she was born.

Born on July 5th 1935, she was the youngest of 9 children reared by William Schoenfelder and Mary “Mayme” (Fogarty) Schoenfelder in Rochester, Minnesota. She was born in a humble farmhouse, heated by a small woodstove, with no hot water or indoor plumbing until she was in her teens. Her older brothers teased her mercilessly, as older brothers sometimes do, but she was often found in the loving and protective shadow of her sisters, especially Marian. In her 20’s she had to deal with the unwelcome sadness of her mother passing, and then two older brothers who lost their lives in separate tragic car accidents. She understood hard work and resilience from a very young age. And she quickly formed the positivity, optimism, and boundless charisma that would become her hallmarks in adulthood.

Pat’s first job “off the farm” was as a nurse’s assistant, sometimes referred to as a “Candy Striper”, at the world-renowned Rochester medical facility, The Mayo Clinic. Perhaps it was here that she developed, or more likely perfected, her innate ability to serve others, to comfort others, to love others without hesitation or selfish concern. If “kindness is the flower of humanity,” Pat distributed bouquets of compassion and charity for her entire adult life. She was the first one to volunteer, to greet a new neighbor that needed a friend, or to hold the hand of someone who was sick or in pain. She lived this ethos without regard to social status and without any expectation or likelihood of repayment.

When Patricia was just 19 years old on a work lunch break, she slipped into the Rochester JCPenney store to buy a necktie, and there she met a tall, gangly but infinitely charming sales clerk named Paul Leonard. Patricia returned home that evening and announced she had met the man she was going to marry. She was correct.

In 1955 Paul and Pat were wed, and even though neither of them had really ever left the state, they soon after crammed their meager belongings into their car and headed off to Albuquerque, NM for what was to be the first stop in an incredible 61-year journey that would eventually take them to 9 states and Italy as Paul climbed the executive ladder of JCPenney. They raised 4 children, Denise (Dickson), Lori (Wheeler), Paul Jr., and Mary. In their 40’s, they lovingly fostered an adult refugee from Vietnam ,Hank Phan, who became a permanent part of the family and eventually chartered a successful career at JCPenney after being mentored by Paul.

Pat and Paul retired to Tucson, AZ, and enjoyed 30+ years in the Saddlebrooke community where they created lifelong friendships, and where they shared countless dinners and walks and laughter with nearby family, a steady stream of visiting children and in-laws, and grandchildren (8) and great grandchildren (23). Pat launched a successful real estate career while in her 70's. After her “Big Friend" passed away, she eventually moved to North Idaho to perfect her role of "Little Nonna” and wrap herself in the comfort of so many family members. She maintained the constant twinkle in her eye, and her undefeated sense of humor for all her remaining days. No matter where she was, or who she met, Pat was loved by all.

Patricia Leonard was preceded in death by her parents William and Mayme (Fogarty) Schoenfelder, all of her siblings including Robert Schoenfelder, Richard “Swede” Schoenfelder, Marian Schoenfelder (Halloran), John “Bunn” Schoenfelder, Gerald Schoenfelder, Elizabeth “Betty” Schoenfelder (Baker), Don Schoenfelder, and Neil Schoenfelder . She also leaned on her faith to deal with the loss of her eldest daughter, Denise (Dickson) Leonard. The love and bond she shared with her family will echo throughout eternity and through the generations to come.

View Pat’s memorial page here: https://www.englishfuneralchapel.com/obituaries/patricia-leonard

(A brief informal graveside service will be held in the next 90 days in Tucson, AZ at Holy Hope Cemetery,3555 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85705)