Jane Merk Leonard, Lewes native

Jane Leonard, 82, of Warminster , Md.,died peacefully Sunday, June 1, 2014, in her home surrounded by family.

Jane was the beloved wife of the late Leon Leonard for 57 years. She was the daughter of the late Fred and Agnes Merk. Jane was born in Pennsylvania but grew up in Lewes.

She graduated in 1950 from Lewes High School and faithfully attended the annual reunions. Over the years she worked at Asplundh, Grants and C & B Toys, but her real passion was being a wife, mother of two and Mom-Mom to all who knew her.

Jane loved to travel; she enjoyed her trips to Europe, especially to Ireland, where she kissed the Blarney Stone. One of her hobbies was her extensive lighthouse collection and trying to see as many as she could on the East Coast. She was famous for her parties, most notably Derby Day.

Jane made it a point for anyone who came to her home to feel welcome and comfortable and to leave with cherished memories and a full stomach.

She will be greatly missed by her loving daughter, Tracey Schneehagen (John); granddaughter, Sam McPherson (Jay) and grandson Rich Gehringer Jr. (Amanda); two great-grandchildren, Cora and Benjamin Gehringer; and her niece, Bernice Murray (Britt). In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Stephen Leonard; her sister, Ruth Duckworth; and her niece, Denise Pond.

Viewing was Friday, June 6, at The Decker Funeral Home, 216 York Road, Warminster, followed by the memorial service. Interment followed in Hillside Cemetery, Roslyn.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in her name may be made to The Disabled American Veterans VA Regional Office, P.O. Box 42938, Philadelphia, PA 19101.