Marilyn Ruth Leonard, 94, of Jerry Brown Road, Mystic, passed away peacefully in her sleep May 19, 2026. She was born April 30, 1932, in Pittsburg, Pa., to Edwin and Ruth Resler. In her early years, Marilyn was active in theater and debate, but then attending Muskingum College she discovered her lifelong passion for teaching. She also met the love of her life, Russell Leonard, who shared and shaped that calling. Following her graduation and their 1953 wedding, Marilyn taught elementary school students first in Ohio, then in Pacific Grove, Monterey, Calif. Nurturing Marilyn's deep love of travel, and desire to see the world, the young couple camped their way back East from California, pausing in New York for Russ to finish his master's degree while Marilyn planned their next positions: teaching U.S. Air Force dependents at a base in England. Again, Marilyn determined the couple made the best of their time in England, spending their summer camping through Europe in their Hillman Husky car and a canvas tent, but dressed in the heels, dresses, and suits appropriate for teachers in the 1950s. Returning to the U.S. from their great adventure, they decided to settle in New England. They took a chance on a brand new community on the shores of Eastern Connecticut building their home in Mumford Cove in Groton. Marilyn's vision of this spot to be an ideal place to raise a family proved true over time. Marilyn taught at Mystic Academy until her first daughter was born. She subsequently chose to stay home through the birth of their second daughter and until both girls faced middle school. Marilyn returned to teaching after refreshing her credentials at Eastern College. She substituted long-term at Northside Elementary, SB Butler, Colonel Ledyard, and Pleasant Valley schools, finishing terms for teachers who had to vacate their positions. She then accepted a position as a full-time support teacher at Charles Barnham helping children who needed extra focus in reading and math. In the young family years, Marilyn and Russ fulfilled Marilyn's desire to take up skiing, a sport they had been exposed to in Europe. They built a New Hampshire ski home where the family created favorite memories of downhill and cross-country skiing, ice skating, swimming and hiking. The whole family also continued the camping tradition, spending several summers crossing the U.S. and Canada with a tent trailer behind their station wagon. But after retirement, the Leonards were willing to hang up the snow skis and trade their winter activities for Florida sunshine and a condo in South Palm Beach. This was a wonderful arrangement as they had families growing in both locations. In 2020, the Leonards bought a unit at Stoneridge in Mystic. Unfortunately, Russ died before they could move in. Nonetheless, with her characteristic determination, Marilyn moved in alone to live out the last chapter of their adventurous lives. With her practical positive acceptance of life in all its ups and downs, Marilyn made many new friends and was enriched by all the activities available to her, even attending a favorite activity, tap dance class, on her last morning on earth. Marilyn is survived by daughters, Nancy (Dean) Carlson of Ocala, Fla., and Susan (Paul) Rogers of Mumford Cove, Groton; and grandchildren: Ty Carlson of Florida, Tia Carlson of North Carolina, Emily Rogers of Texas, and Sophia Rogers of Connecticut; as well as her sister Jean (Don) Russell of Billings, Mont.; and several nieces and nephews.