Joan Leonardo

Obituary

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | December 24, 2025

In Loving Memory: With heavy hearts we announce the passing of the beautiful Joan Leonardo of Westminster, MD. Joan departed this life on June 19, 2025 after a long and heartbreaking battle with Alzheimer’s Disease at the young age of 81. She was a cherished wife, mother, and friend whose kindness, generosity, warmth and love touched the lives of all she knew.

Joan was born in McKeesport, PA on October 5, 1943, to the late Harry and Edna Brooks. She graduated from McKeesport High School in 1961 and went on to meet her husband of 60 years, Rudolph Leonardo. They started a family and in 1967 relocated to Maryland. She was a homemaker until their children were old enough for her to begin a rewarding career at the Social Security Administration, in Woodlawn MD, where she worked for over 20 years.

Before the onset of her illness, she hosted annual family holiday dinners and parties over decades that are so fondly remembered and appreciated. Joan enjoyed traveling, shopping, and playing Mahjong with her friends. Towards the end of her life, she lived with her son Dario and his girlfriend Brenda where they enjoyed long walks, dancing, laughing, good food and family. She spent her final and most difficult days in memory care.

She is survived by her husband Rudolph, sons Dario and Antonio, daughter Marisa, grandsons Travis and Jesse, great-granddaughter Elena, brothers Duane and Ronald, and many cherished nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sister Jean and brother Leon.

A memorial visitation was held on July 10, 2025. A joint memorial visitation for Rudy and Joan will be held on January 9, 2026 beginning at 4:30 PM at Eline Funeral Home, 2901 Bloom Road, Finksburg MD 21048. Flowers are welcome, or if preferred, a Memorial Donation to any Alzheimer's Charity is appreciated.

A joint memorial service and final inurnment for both Rudy and Joan will be held at the New St. Joseph Cemetery in North Versailles PA on January 16th, 2026, at 1 p.m.

Joan will forever remain in our hearts, and we thank her for the beautiful memories. So blessed are we to have known her and to have had her bright light in our lives. May she finally rest in peace with our heavenly Father, and we give praise to him for sharing his Angel with us, no matter how short a time.

Originally published December 24, 2025.

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