Donna Jane Leonard

About a month before leaving this world on February 10th, 2025, at the age of 72, Donna Jane Leonard lay in a hospital bed with her arms spread out and a menacing look on her face. Her granddaughters were visiting. The doctors had just pumped three pints of blood into her body, and while not feeling the best, she remained the fun Grams the kids fiercely loved.

Why this particular playful and ominous pose?

The hospital, she told the girls, ran out of human blood and substituted vampire blood instead. Soon, fangs would form. It’s all just a matter of time.

And then, she flashed her beautiful, mischievous grin.

Always the character, Donna didn’t save that smile just for her family. She gave it freely to strangers in the grocery line and fellow fans cheering in the stands, to a child filled with tears and a pup yipping at her heel. Candy might accompany it, or kind words, or any help anyone ever needed. Her doors- and kitchen- were always open. Her light shone bright and wide, spreading joy and comfort to all she met.

Perhaps her July 4th, 1952 birthday played a role in her celebratory nature, a firecracker in her own right. Her parents, Harry “Skip” Leonard and Helen Richardson Leonard, surrounded their children with affection and faith. The family attended St. Augustine Catholic Church. Donna remained a loyal parishioner.

The lifelong Jeffersonville girl graduated Jeffersonville High School in 1971, the last class of the old downtown school before its move east. At 16, she began a co-op at the Clark County Courthouse. For more than 40 years, the 4-foot 10-inch powerhouse was a fixture of the building, working in various county offices until her 2012 retirement.

Around the same time, her beloved daughters started having children. Donna cared for the young ones, devoting her days to their happiness and success. She drove them to school, singing songs along the way, and never missed any game they played or recital they performed. Donna cocooned them and others in devotion and protection.

Every night, before bed, Grams called to say or texted both her daughters and granddaughters, “Good night. God Bless You. I love you. Talk to you tomorrow.”

Oh… and “I beat you.” Because who doesn’t want to end their day with a bit of competition based on love?

Donna was welcomed into heaven by her loving parents, her brother Dennis “Skipper” Leonard, sister Nella Hosea, son-in-law Tyler Byrnes and three nephews.  She leaves behind her daughters Jennifer Leonard Yates (Nelson), and Lacy Leonard, granddaughters Sloane Yates, Peyton Yates, Tegan Yarbrough, Juniper Byrnes, Marlow Byrnes and Raygan Yates (Halie) and grandson Dawson Yates, brothers Daniel Leonard (Rhonda), George Leonard (Kristy O’Donnell), sisters Deborah Glasscock (Dale Snelling), Mary Hypes (Rusty), Marchell Stemler (Richard), sister-in-law Henrietta Leonard, her lifelong friends Mary “Ceal” Steele, Susan and Clarence Robertson, 19 nieces and nephews, 32 great-nieces and great-nephews and 18 great-great nieces and nephews.

While Donna only pretended to be a vampire, her memory will remain eternal in the hearts and actions of those she impacted and loved.

Visitation will be held at Scott's Funeral Home in Jeffersonville on Tuesday, February 18th, from 2 PM to 8 PM, with a service at 6:30 PM. Burial will take place at St. Anthony Cemetery on Friday, February 21st at 3 PM.

Those so inclined may gift memorial contributions to Jeffersonville High School Athletics Department, Sacred Heart Athletics or Down Syndrome of Louisville.  

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