Leonard, Mary BethMary Beth Leonard, 71, of Fond du Lac passed away on Friday, Sept. 1, 2017 at St. Francis Home with her family by her side. She was born on August 11, 1946 to her loving parents, Tony and Marion (Loehr) Leonard, in Fond du Lac. She attended St. Michael's School in Dotyville and graduated from St. Mary's Springs Academy. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree at Cardinal Stritch University as well as her Master of Arts Degree in Reading and her Certification in Educational Leadership.During her educational career, she held the positions of Teacher, Reading Specialist, Gifted and Talented Program Coordinator, Drug Education Program Coordinator, Chapter I (Remedial Reading) Program Administrator /Coordinator and Principal.Mary Beth devoted her life to children and their education. Her goal was to provide the tools through which any child could learn and develop his/her talents. Her accomplishments during her career include: co­ authored the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) grant for Fond du Lac County; provided Core/Group Facilitator Training for parents, community members and staff members; established a Silent Reading Program for Gr. K - 12; initiated a district Chapter I Parent Council and a district Parent Reading Program. In addition, Mary Beth organized and directed a district-wide Kindergarten Screening; developed and administered the district's K-12 Gifted and Talented program; initiated, implemented, directed and facilitated the district's K-12 Student Assistance Program; and she was instrumental in developing and writing school district AODA (Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse) policy.As principal, Mary Beth established an All day kindergarten program, Implemented an After School Program, developed and implemented a Character Education program, developed a school handbook, actively participated in the renovation and addition of classrooms in an elementary school setting and oversaw the closing of an elementary school building .Mary Beth was employed by the School District of Campbellsport from 1970 to 1992 followed by five years as Principal of Wrightstown Elementary School. She retired in 2010 after serving as Principal of the Consolidated Parochial Schools (CPES) for 11 years.Mary Beth's devotion to children enabled her to become involved in organizations that fostered children's education and growth. She held active membership in the Campbellsport Education Association, Northeastern Wisconsin Education Association, Wisconsin Education Association Council, Rock River Reading Council, National Education Association, International Reading Association, Wisconsin Association for Supervisions and Curriculum Development, National Staff Development Council, Fond du Lac County Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Council, the Council for Exceptional Children, the Wisconsin Council for the Gifted and Talented, the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators, National Catholic Education Association, Milwaukee Archdiocesan Elementary Principal's Association and the Alpha Theta Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society. Mary Beth was also a lifetime member of the Optimist International. She held offices and served on committees in many of the organizations in which she was an active member.Mary Beth's interest in children and their educational development prompted her to write a book with her close friend, Jan Soyk. Together they co-authored the book, Springboards for Dads, Moms and Kids, copyright 1994.Mary Beth enjoyed traveling, music, reading, baking (especially her homemade doughnuts), gardening, cooking, knitting, playing Sheepshead and Scrabble, and discussing Packer games with her Uncle Chuck. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time and conversation with her family and friends. Next to her faith and her Heavenly Father, of utmost importance to Mary Beth were her family, friends and students.Her mother, Marion, of Fond du Lac survives Mary Beth as well as her sisters: Barbara Schaefer, Ann (Dave) Hesprich and Rose (John) Broome; her brothers: Tony, "Doc"(Cheryl), Mike (Susan) and Tom (Mary); many loving nieces and nephews; aunts and uncles; other relatives and friends.Preceding Mary Beth in death were her father, Tony; her brothers-in­ law , Del Schaefer and Bruce McMurry; her nephew, Kevin Leonard; Grandparents, Fred and Lina Leonard and Henry and Anna Loehr; Godparents Leo Loehr and Betty Porn; her first cousin, Bill Loehr, and many aunts and uncles.Services: Mary Beth was a member of Holy Family Catholic Community. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Sept, 8, 2017 at 11:00 am at Holy Family Catholic Church, 271 4th Street Way. Main celebrant will be Fr. James Loehr. Br. Steven Kropp, OFM Cap will concelebrate. Visitation will be at Holy Family Catholic Church from 9:00 am to the time of service at 11:00. Private burial will take place in St. Michael's Cemetery, Dotyville.Memorials in Mary Beth's name may be directed to (Mary Beth's favorite charity), Children's Hospital of Wisconsin or .Mary Beth's family would like to thank her St. Francis Home family and the folks from Heartland Hospice who loved and cared for her during her final days.Online condolences may be found at www.zacherlfuneralhome.com