Patricia Leonard Obituary

Patricia Ann Leonard
07/19/1935 - 01/20/2026
Patricia Ann Leonard
Longtime resident and native of San Francisco and Tiburon, Patricia Ann Leonard passed away on January 20, 2026 of natural causes. In her final days, she took great comfort in her family and her strong faith. Pat was an elegant and devout woman, a loving wife, beloved Aunt, and dear friend. Pat, daughter of Edmond S. Sullivan, Sr. and Beatrice Ann Gray, was born on July 19, 1935. She grew up with her brother, Edmond S. Sullivan Jr. (Helen) and her sister, Diane Ackers (Ed), in the Parkside district of The City on Ulloa Street and 24th Avenue. She attended St. Cecilia School and Presentation High School, Class of 1952. Pat enjoyed a long and successful career at Basic American Foods.
As a child, Pat and her family vacationed at the Russian River in a cabin designed and built by her father. The River held a special place in Pat's heart. She delighted in telling the story of how her parents first met at a dance at The River and it is where Pat enjoyed so many happy times with family.
During dinner at The Fireside Restaurant in the Sunset District (later Marcello's) with her parents, Pat met her future husband, Jack V. Leonard. Pat and Jack were married at St. Cecilia's Church on February 12, 1966. They were married for 45 years, until Jack predeceased Pat.
Pat and Jack loved to travel. Their travels took them to many major cities in Europe, Asia and Africa where they enjoyed exploring the world together. Her tales of their safari adventures were especially exciting.
Pat cherished her family, her heritage and traditions. She had an encyclopedic memory of her family tree and loved sharing the life stories of generations of ancestors. She embraced family traditions and enjoyed passing them down. One special one was the famed Sullivan Family Gravy, the pasta sauce her grandmother learned to make from her friend in North Beach. Pat passed down the recipe for the secret sauce, and she delighted in savoring The Gravy with her family on Christmas Eve for decades.
Pat enjoyed spending many fun holidays with her family and was always in touch with The Gray Family, her nieces, nephews and godchildren to stay current on all the goings-on. She remembered every birthday, sending birthday cards with sweet messages, always in her beautiful penmanship.
Pat was an expert knitter and made beautiful, heirloom blankets for her family. Pat also knit and donated many cheerful blankets to Project Linus for seriously ill and traumatized children.
Pat was so proud of her and Jack's godchildren, nieces, and nephews: John Leonard (Ellen), Judy DeAlba (Hondo), Janet Leonard, Jim Leonard (Alissa); James Akers (Sharon), Vickie Akers; Donald L. Sullivan (Lisa); Edmond J. Sullivan (Naomi); and all their children. Everyone always felt so lucky to sit next to Aunt Pat at a holiday dinner. There was no better company. Her cousins, nieces, nephews, godchildren and their families will remember her lovingly and honor her memory with every family holiday and tradition.
There will be a memorial service at St. Hilary's Church on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers please donate to Hanna Boys Center or St. Hilary's Church.