Obituary of Andrea Leonard

Andrea A. Leonard January 12, 1954 - January 2, 2012 Andrea A. Leonard, 57, of Stormstown died peacefully surrounded by family on January 2, 2012 after a brief battle with cancer. She was born in St. Albans, NY, the daughter of the late Alfred H. and Helena (Coari) Arnold. She graduated from McArthur High School in 1972 and went on to receive an associate degree in marketing/accounting from Post College in 1974. In 1973 she married Robert E. Leonard and together they moved to the State College area, where they raised their two daughters and have called home for the past 38 years. While Andrea's New York roots remained strong throughout her life, she enjoyed being an active part of the Centre County community. Andrea dedicated much of her time to volunteer activities and held several service positions, including treasurer for the Port Matilda Fire Company and the Halfmoon Township representative and a member of the Board of Trustees for the Schlow Centre Region Library. She was a long-time active member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church. For the past 12 years, Andrea worked for Penn State in various roles in Development and Alumni Relations. In 2010 she was awarded the Esprit de Corps Award for her dedication to her coworkers and commitment to the University. Andrea was the elected Tax Collector for Halfmoon Township from 1984-1999 and held the position of the president of the Centre County Tax Collectors Association. She also worked for the Borough of State College from 1977-1988 in the Finance Department and served several years as secretary to Mayor Arnold Addison. Andrea leaves her loving husband Robert; their youngest daughter Rachel C. Leonard of New York, NY; their oldest daughter Melissa L. Maurer and her husband Christopher of State College; and her granddaughter Callia. Andrea was predeceased by her brother Steve and is survived by her brother Alfred Arnold and his wife Lee; and sister-in-law Anita Robinson of Long Island, NY. She is also leaves several brothers-in-laws and sisters-in-laws and many nieces and nephews. Friends will be received from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, January 5, 2012 at the Word of God Chapel at Good Shepherd Catholic Church. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 6, 2012 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church. Committal will be immediately following the mass at Centre County Memorial Park, State College. Memorial gifts in Andrea's memory may be made to the Father Bender Community Center Building Fund at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, P.O. Box 8186, State College, PA 16805 or the Schlow Centre Region Library, 211 S. Allen St., State College, PA 16801, schlowlibrary.org.