Louise D. Leonesio, 95
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Louise Darling Leonesio, 95, of 24 Henderson Road died Friday, June 4, 2010, at Williamstown Commons, after a long illness.
Born in New London, N.Y., on Aug. 25, 1914, daughter of the Rev. Arthur J. Schloop and Margaret Darling Schloop, she graduated in 1932 from Indian Lake (N.Y.) High School and earned a four-year scholarship at Albany (N.Y.) State Teachers College for her outstanding scores on the New York State Regents Exam. She graduated from Albany in 1936 with a bachelor of arts degree, majoring in mathematics and history for high school teaching. After substitute teaching for a year, her certificate was extended to include elementary schools because she had attended Oneonta (N.Y.) State Teachers College for a year. The following summer, the New York State Education Department granted her a master of arts equivalent degree because of her special preparation.
Mrs. Leonesio taught at the Lanesborough and Clarksburg elementary schools after 15 years teaching in New York. When the ban on married women teaching was lifted at then North Adams Teachers College, she became an instructor and trained teachers, which she had wanted to do since moving to North Adams. She retired in 1970.
After retiring, she had the time to gather the proper material with proof so that she could join the Daughters of the American Revolution. After joining the Fort Massachusetts Chapter of North Adams, she served as historian and later was appointed to a three-year term as DAR State Historian. She also continued singing in the choir at First United Methodist Church.
Her husband, former Williamstown Town Engineer Joseph Leonesio, whom she married July 4, 1953, died on Oct. 23, 1983.
She leaves nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
She was predeceased by two sisters and one brother, Irene Liddell, Bertha Hanna and the Rev. Lloyd Schloop.
FUNERAL NOTICE — A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Mrs. Leonesio will take place Wednesday, June 9, at 11 from First Congregational Church of North Adams with the Rev. Kim Kie, pastor of First United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery, North Adams.
Calling hours will be Tuesday from 4 to 7 at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, Central Chapels. Memorial donations can be made to First United Methodist Church through the funeral home, 74 Marshall St., North Adams, MA 01247.