June 7, 2022
Carolyn is now home
| Carolyn: You will be sorely missed. |
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| May 13, 2022 Dear Dutch Cousins, With a heavy heart, we mourn the loss of our dear cousin, Carolyn Leonard, who departed from this world on Tuesday, May 11, 2022. Carolyn had waged a courageous fight against acute myeloid leukemia for about a year and a half but still found time to be in contact with her many friends and family. After enjoying her last Mother’s Day with her family on Sunday, she passed away at her home in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Carolyn loved life and shared her vitality and talents with many people in her family, community, nation, and the world. Her many interests included genealogy, writing, speaking, and bringing people together. The Dutch Cousins of Kentucky organization was a fruit of her many works. As noted in Carolyn’s obituary, she was a charter member, coordinator, and past president of the 850-member Dutch Cousins of Kentucky and published a monthly Writers Reminder email. She would engage with every individual she met and encourage them to share their talents, information, and overall goodness. Carolyn was thrilled to contribute to the rehabilitation and preservation of the Old Mud Meeting House, which held numerous memories of the Dutch settlers’ lives and worship in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. On behalf of all the Dutch Cousins, I convey our heartfelt condolences to Jon, Carolyn’s husband, and devoted caregiver. Our sympathy extends to all Carolyn’s family and friends. The funeral arrangements and Carolyn’s obituary are at: www.wilkinsonfuneralservice.com/obituaries/carolyn-branch-leonard-heavener. In Carolyn’s unique manner, she left us with a message that her daughter Judi posted on FaceBook at Carolyn’s request. It is always difficult to say goodbye to a loved one, but Carolyn left us imparting, “See y’all a little further down the road! Happy Journeys and Hugs and Blessings to All”. God bless our dear cousin Carolyn and keep her in His loving arms. Sincerely, Mary Jo Gohmann Dutch Cousins President —————————————————————————————————– |
| Carolyn’s daughter, Judi, posted this on FaceBook: FaceBook Fans of Carolyn This is Carolyn’s daughter, Judi. On behalf of myself, brothers, James and Jay, their families including all the children, grandchildren, great grands, stepson Ross, and last but not least our stepfather, Jon, we convey our condolences to you, her Fans. We know she had many! Even after leaving us yesterday, she made sure we had a message to leave for you. She asked us to let you know how very much she enjoyed the daily exchanges with you and she hopes you will continue to share your thoughts, wishes, good days and bad with others. She wanted everyone to know what a wonderful life she enjoyed. She was an incredible person (our words, not hers). As some of you know, she was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia about a year and a half ago and was given 2-4 weeks to live. She traversed the disease as only the Warrior Carolyn could do. (again our words) She wanted everyone to know what a wonderful life she enjoyed. In her later years she was able to live her dream of being a published author, traveling the world with her beloved blue-eyed engineer, (definitely her words 🙂 ), relax in a flower-filled yard, and host lots of delicious dinners and fun parties for family and friends. To all her Writer friends, 8 for 8 dinner friends, Buffalo friends, Genealogy friends, DAR friends, OKC friends, church friends, the Dutch Cousins, Bahr Family researchers, Branch Twigs, all other friends and especially family, she said “We have traveled some rough roads together, and we have made delightful memories as well. Be kind to each other, and to everyone you meet. See y’all a little further on down the road! Happy Journeys and Hugs and Blessings to All Carolyn  To view Carolyn’s message through her daughter’s FaceBook posting, go here: https://www.facebook.com/carolyn.leonard.5667901 |
