E. Doris Leonard

LEICESTER- E. Doris (Skrivars) Leonard, 84, beloved mother, grandmother and friend, died peacefully Monday morning, October 4 at Life Care Center of Auburn. She was predeceased by her loving husband Ralph A. Leonard in 1968. She leaves two sons, Thomas E. Leonard of Amsterdam, New York, and his wife Jean; and Mark A. Leonard. She leaves a daughter, Christina Schoenberg, of Topsham, Maine, and her husband Andrew. She leaves grandchildren Joshua, Ian and Eric Leonard and their mother Lynda Leonard; and Rachel, Jacob and Eli Schoenberg. She leaves two step-grandchildren, Monica L. Fox of Fonda, New York and Aaron J. Veeder of Amsterdam, and great-grandchildren Desirae M. Diaz of New Bedford and Rebecca, Joseph, Amber, and Anthony Fox.
Doris was born in Brooklyn, New York; the daughter of Eric G. and Lempi M. (Makela) Skrivars. Both her parents came from Finland, and Doris was very proud of her Finnish heritage. She was always very involved with her many aunts, uncles and cousins. Her family moved to Worcester when she was a teenager, and Doris graduated from North High School and Worcester State Teacher's College. Doris was a school teacher in East Brookfield before leaving to raise her children. Later she returned to obtain her Master's degree. She became a librarian at Leicester Junior College, now part of Becker Junior College. She also taught classes in early childhood education, and after her "retirement" she worked in the Library at Quinsigamond Community College. She was a longtime member of Bethel Lutheran Church and performed in its bell choir.
Doris loved music and laughter, and had an optimistic attitude toward life despite whatever hardships came her way. She had a quality Finns call "sisu," which is the intestinal fortitude to overcome difficulties and "get the job done" without complaining. She raised three children on her own after her beloved husband passed away, and later cared for her own father in her home when he became ill with Lou Gehrig's disease. She loved books and learning, and passed her love of learning on to her children and grandchildren as their legacy. She went out of her way to help students who came into her library for research. She was a master of the English language, and all manner of facts and trivia, and was fondly known as "Mrs. Einstein" at Life Care for her extraordinary accumulation of knowledge.
Doris loved to travel, and late in life visited Europe, Alaska, Hawaii, as well as visiting with friends across the US. Most of all, she loved her family and friends. She had many friends and was famous for her wonderful letters. She loved to laugh!
The family would like to extend their gratitude to the wonderful staff at Life Care of Auburn for their extraordinary level of kindness and care.
A memorial service will be held at 11:30 AM on Saturday, October 9, at Bethel Lutheran Church, 90 Bryn Mawr Avenue in Auburn. There are no calling hours, but the family will greet her friends after the service. Doris will be buried privately beside her parents at Wildwood Cemetery in Gardner. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Bethel Lutheran Church. Arrangements are under the care of LINDQUIST LUNDIN FUNERAL HOME, 36 Butler Street, Worcester. To place an online condolence, please visit www.lindquistlundin.com.