Patricia “Patsy” Rogers Leahy – 96, formerly of Newton, MA and most recently a resident of St. Patrick’s Manor in Framingham, MA, passed away on Tuesday, April 12, 2016. Patricia was born to the late Francis Felix and Margaret Louise Barnes Rogers on March 22, 1920, in Somerville, MA. The ninth of eleven children, she grew up in Newton. For nearly 50 years, she was the beloved wife of the late Richard T. Leahy of Newton, MA.
Patricia, a tom-boy as a girl, became the mother of nine girls that spanned the entire Baby Boom generation. She had a passionate intellect and loved reading and politics. Patsy also had an extraordinary gift for loving and nurturing her babies, grown children, grandchildren, dogs, horses and even flowers. Fiercely brave and self disciplined, when she lost her eyesight she managed to live alone for many years, navigating her world without complaint but with a sheer will and uncommon character.
She is survived by her nine daughters and their families: Pamela Thompson and Camille Joseph Boucher of Waltham, MA; Patricia and Dr. Peter Von Bormann of Johannesburg, South Africa; Priscilla and Robert Demmons of Holliston, MA; Deborah and Drew Banton of Newton, MA; Melissa Leahy of Waltham, MA; Andrea and Robert DeRubeis of Newton, MA; Virginia and Salvatore Yerardi of Newton, MA; Dianne Leahy of Newton, MA; and Eileen and Patrick Preston of Falmouth, MA. Patricia is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson as well as her beloved sister Ruth Rogers Lally of North Andover, MA and several dozen nieces and nephews.
A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, May 14th at 10am at Our Lady Help of Christians Church, 573 Washington St., Newton with a reception to follow at 12pm-3pm at the Embassy Suites 550 Winter Street, Waltham, MA 02451.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Patricia’s name can be made to the Perkins School for the Blind, Braille Talking Book Library, 175 N. Beacon St, Watertown, MA 02472 or St. Patrick’s Manor 863 Central Street, Framingham, MA 01701
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