Allene Leonard

FARMINGTON – Six weeks after celebrating her ninety-seventh birthday with family and friends, Allene Green Leonard left us unexpectedly for a glorious reunion with her eternal companion. She died at home on Saturday morning, December 10, 2011. Allene entered this life in the Harvey home on the Mountain Road in Kaysville (now Fruit Heights), Utah, on October 27, 1914. She was the first of four children born to Anne Lorene Perkins and Elias Glenn Green. The Greens raised their family in a farm house on Green Road. Allenes closest friend was her cousin Helen Green Sjoblom. They attended Kaysville Elementary and Davis High School together. On a church outing to Como Springs resort in Morgan she met Farmington native Burnham Jay Leonard at the roller skating rink. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on March 24, 1937. They built a home on the Leonard farm in Farmington, where they had eight children and raised five of them to adulthood. Allene learned from the example of her hard-working parents. She canned fruit and vegetables, kept a raspberry patch, and tended a beautiful flower garden. She was known for her delicious fruit pies and orange rolls. Friends and family were important to Allene. She loved people and enjoyed their association. She treasured her many friends including those in the Farmington Junior Literary Club and Daughters of Utah Pioneers. Her mother taught her to enjoy art and color in flowers, fruits, and landscapes. Allene took high school art classes, and beginning in 1984 studied with professional teachers. She exhibited oils and watercolors at the Bountiful-Davis Art Center and Farmington City Hall. After high school, Allene worked at Ogdens Utah Tailoring Mills, cutting and sewing made-to-order mens and womens suits. Later on, she cooked for many years in Davis County schools. Allene lived her life serving others. Callings in the Relief Society included ward president, stake counselor, mother education leader, compassionate service leader, and, for more than 70 years, a faithful visiting teacher. Shes been a Beehive teacher, Young Women counselor, Junior Sunday School teacher and coordinator, and, for the past 20 years, Gospel Doctrine class president. She especially enjoyed serving with Burnham for 18 years in the Ogden Temple and 2 years in Bountiful. Allene developed a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and a personal love for her Heavenly Father. Her beloved Burnhams death on November 9, 2006, after more than 69 years together, turned her to the scriptures to fill the lonesome hours. Her goal this year was to read the Book of Mormon. She died with her book marker at Moroni chapter 1. Allene leaves behind daughters Colleen L. Reeve, and Evelyn Leonard (John Waldo); sons Glen M. Leonard (Karen), Don Jay Leonard (Julie), and Blaine D. Leonard (Jann); 17 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and siblings Jay G. Green (Jane), Dorothy G. Larkin, and Max K. Green (Elizabeth). Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by infant daughters Jayne, Annette, and Darlene; brother-in-law Dell J. Larkin, and son-in-law Thomas A. Reeve. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, December 17, 2011, at the Farmington Utah North Stake Center, 728 W. Shepard Lane. Friends and family may visit Friday, between 6 and 8 p.m., at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 1941 N. Main, Farmington, or Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the church. Interment will be at the Farmington City Cemetery.