Obituary of Lucy Margaret Leo

One in a million. One of a kind. There’s no one like her. I love Lucy! Often how most anecdotes start after meeting Lucy Leo. Her love of life did not come to an end with her death. Lucy’s lifelong commitment to her faith has her swing dancing with the Irish angels. Lucy passed away May 26, 2021 at the age of 78 after a courageous decade long battle with cancer, surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor her legacy by living life to the fullest with a smile and spreading kindness. Lucy was born on December 20, 1942 in Goshen NY, daughter of two Irish immigrants, James & Sally Gray and sister Joan Murphy. Lucy graduated from Red Bank Catholic High School in New Jersey, completed her bachelor’s degree at the Mary Manse College in Ohio and a master’s degree of arts at Farleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey. Her love of children was seen in her numerous years teaching at Red Bank Primary School in New Jersey. Her student body was an extension of her biological children as she would not hesitate to bring in a hat or coat for a child in need or bring them to our home for a hot meal. Her devotion to her students knew no boundaries and that also extended to her family and friends. Lucy spent most of her early child and adulthood in Monmouth County, New Jersey, but in 1984 moved to Connecticut where she instantly fell in love with the quaint town of Essex which would be her home for the next 40 years. Always tending to her gardens, right off the Connecticut River, brought her peace. If she was not in the garden she was on the boat. She loved the water and even more so the ocean. Spending much of her earlier years at the Jersey Shore it was familiar and special. Beyond the beloved Jersey Shore, Lucy looked forward to going “home”, aka Ireland. Countless yearly trips to Ireland allowed Lucy to reconnect with her extended family establishing roots and bonds that would last a lifetime. The greatest love of all for Lucy was her four grandchildren, Billy, Collin, Whitney & Dustin. There was no better joy for her than spending time with them. Known as Grandma, she was always there at the drop of a hat, overpacked, ready and willing to do anything for her grandbabies. Lucy was a daughter, sister, niece, aunt, and friend to many. Her endless selflessness and contagious smile will be sorely missed. Never once a complaint despite her constant battle with cancer. She was a warrior. Lucy navigated her journey with guts, grace, and glory. As her friend and oncologist said for over a decade “Lucy, you are a zebra in a field of horses”. She was a medical miracle and a marvel. A woman of faith, Lucy lived life following the philosophy of Padre Pio: pray, hope, and do not worry. She is survived by her husband of 45 years James E. Leo and her sister Joan Murphy; her daughters Christina Strain & Katherine (& Todd) Smith. Her four grandchildren and her nieces and nephew will also miss her dearly. Visitation will be held on Thursday June 3, 2021 from 5:00-7:00 at the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main Street in Centerbrook, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, June 4, 2021 at 11:00AM at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 14 Prospect Street in Essex. In lieu of flowers, offerings in Lucy’s memory can be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. To share a memory of Lucy or send a condolence to her family please visit www.rwwfh.com.