Rebecca Ann Leonard, 26, of Upper Macungie Township, passed into eternal life on Wednesday, November 20, at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Philadelphia, surrounded by her loving family. Born on July 4, 1987, she was the younger daughter of Bruce and Kathryn (Sheneman) Leonard. As she waged a lifelong and courageous battle with cystic fibrosis, she served as an inspiration to many with her spirit and determination to live her life to the fullest, and on her own terms. As a young girl, she served as a poster representative for the NE PA Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and was one of the original participants at Camelot for Children. She was a Girl Scout for many years, earning the Gold Award, Girl Scouts highest honor. She also participated in Indian Princesses with her dad at the Allentown YMCA. While a student at Parkland High School, she was a member of the theater departments stage crew. Graduating from PHS in 2005, she then attended Kutztown University, graduating with honors in 2010, with a BA degree in English literature. She was the featured speaker at the 2013 CF Tennis Auction Ball, and was key to raising a record amount in donations in the Bid for the Cure. She worked for Kohls for more than five years, and at the time of her death, she was an employee of the PPL GOLD Credit Union. She was a member of Christ E. C. Church, Allentown. Survivors: She is survived by her parents; sister, Jessica of Zeuthen, Germany; grandparents, Merril, Jr. and Lois Leonard of Allentown and Martha Sheneman of Audubon; and loving aunts, uncles and cousins. She was predeceased by her older brother, Kevin
in 1995; and her grandfather, Lloyd Sheneman, in May. Services: A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday in the Christ E.C. Church, 2135 Tilghman Street, Allentown. A viewing and visitation where her family will receive relatives and friends will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday in the Stephens Funeral Home Inc., 1335-37 Linden Street, Allentown. A viewing will be held from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Monday in the church. Please share online condolences at www.stephensfuneral.com. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to further CF research: NE PA Chapter, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 1541 Alta Drive, Suite 204, Whitehall, PA, 18052. Heartfelt thanks go from the family to the Cystic Fibrosis Care Team at Penn, especially Dr. Douglas Holsclaw, her lifelong third grandfather, as well as to the incredibly caring, patient and dedicated staffs on Cupp 4 South and the Medical ICU at the Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.


Published in Morning Call on Nov. 22, 2013