It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Barbara Joan Leone.  She joined the angels in Heaven on March 6, 2026, with her family and many friends at her side.

 

Barbara was born on September 15, 1966, the only daughter of Lawrence C. and Ethel (Hoyt) Leone.  She was a little ray of sunshine as soon as she was walking and talking, and she remained that way until her last days.  Her mother always read to her as a child, and this resulted in an affinity for literature.  After graduating from Waltham High School, Barbara received her BA in English from Framingham State University.  Following in her mother’s footsteps, Barbara developed an interest in library science.  She returned to school and furthered her education, earning an MS degree in Library Science from Simmons College.  She became a long-term employee at Northrup Grumman, a global aerospace and technology company where she was a research librarian.  Barbara was proud of her father’s Italian roots.  She loved visiting her relatives who resided in “The Lake” in Newton.  She attended the St. Mary of Carmen Festival every summer she could and could be seen eating pasta at least twice a week.  She traveled to Italy with her parents and brother and, as a traveler, ventured to London, Hawaii, and Canada, to name a few.

 

Barbara had a myriad of friends, some dating as far back as elementary school.  Girls’ weekends in Maine, coffee and brunch dates, and visiting Cape Cod were among her favorite activities.  She was extremely loyal to her friends, and they never left her side even as she battled numerous challenges.

 

Barbara is survived by her parents, her brother Lawrence J. and his wife Marcy (Lison) Leone, her niece Marina, and nephew Michael.  She is predeceased by her paternal grandparents, Anna and Loreto Leone, maternal grandparents, Walter and Barbara Hoyt, several close aunts and uncles, as well as her cousin Stephen Spirito.

 

Her wake will be held on Sunday, March 15th from 2:00-5:00 pm at Magni Funeral Home, 365 Watertown St., Newton and again on Monday morning March 16th beginning at 9:15 am before proceeding to Our Lady’s Help of Christians Church at 573 Washington St., Newton for her Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am.  Burial will immediately follow at Mt. Feake Cemetery located at 203 Prospect St., Waltham, MA.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made on her behalf to the Foundation for Women’s Cancer, 230 W. Monroe, Suite 710, Chicago, IL 60606 (www.foundationforwomenscancer.org).