Joan E. (leonard) Schneider

Atkinson, NH: Joan E. (Leonard) Schneider, 72, a resident of Atkinson since 2001, died peacefully on the morning of July 31, 2014 with her loving husband by her side following a lengthy illness.

Born and raised in Wilkes-Barre, PA, daughter of the late John and Dorothy (Cannon) Leonard, Joan was full of life in her early years; always active, intelligent, and caring and was captain of the high school cheerleaders. Following high school, she graduated in 1963 with a Nursing Degree from Mercy School of Nursing in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

Her first job after graduation was a registered nurse at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. Joan and three of her fellow nurses from Wilkes-Barre all met their future husbands in the same bar, Chambers, in New York City. There was always a line to get into that bar, but the owner let those four attractive nurses jump ahead of the crowd. After marriage to her husband, Gene, Joan worked at a medical clinic in Fishkill, NY and later as Director of Nursing in Boca Raton, FL.

Joan gave up her career after she had children. Her family, her children, and later her six grandchildren, were the joy of her life. During her life she enjoyed traveling and was an avid reader. Not only did she live in twelve different homes in six different states, but she also traveled both domestically and internationally.

In her later years, Joan was beset with one illness after another but always tried to be positive.

She is survived by her loving husband, Eugene "Gene" Schneider, two sons and daughters-in-law, Paul Schneider and Jessica Purdy of Exeter, NH, and Timothy and Catherine Schneider of Duxbury, MA, a brother, Bill Leonard of Chicago, IL, three sisters, Eileen Murphy, Barbara Luckasavage, and Patrice O'Malia all of Wilkes-Barre, PA, six grandchildren, Jack, Mae, Connell, Clare, Kelly, and Quinn, and several nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends may call on Saturday, August 9, 2014 from 1 to 2:45 p.m. at Brookside Chapel and Funeral Home, 116 Main Street, Route 121A, Plaistow, NH. A service of remembrance will immediately follow in the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the Holy Angels Food Pantry, 8 Atkinson Depot Road, Plaistow, NH 03865. To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit our website, www.brooksidechapelfh.com.