Joy Velasco Leonardo, 78, died at her home in Lampasas on July 20, 2022.
She was born on March 31,1944 in Angeles City, Philippines.
Joy grew up in Santiago Isabella, Philippines where she graduated from La Salette High School. After high school, she attended and graduated with a degree in nursing from De Ocompo Memorial School of Nursing in 1965.
While on nursing rotation at North General Hospital in Manila, Joy met a young medical intern named Pablo Leonardo. They exchanged their vows in September 1967 and remained married for 54 years. They built a young life together in metro-Manila before moving to the United States in 1974.
After the family’s move from Staten Island, New York to Lampasas, Texas in 1982, Joy stepped away from nursing and helped Pablo establish and maintain a medical practice for the next 38 years.
Joy was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and was devout to her faith.
A hurdler in her youth, she also enjoyed quilting and traveling. She was an avid reader, a talented writer and a gifted linguist. Above all, she was happiest when surrounded by her family, especially her children and grandchildren, and pets. She considered Lulu, Soju and Bobby her canine grandchildren.
Joy was preceded in death by her parents Alberto and Bernie Bender Velasco, and brother Francis Velasco.
Survivors include her husband, Dr. Pablo Leonardo; children Guia (Scott Kuhn), Paul and Joyce (Brian Storey); grandchildren Kirsten Joy, Charlotte, Luke, Ellyse and John Paul; stepgrandchildren McKenzie and Ethan; her siblings; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A rosary will be held at Sneed-Carnley Funeral Chapel on July 26 at 5:30 p.m., followed by visitation with the family from 6-7:30 p.m.
A private funeral Mass and interment will take place on July 27.
Memorial donations may be made to the Library Foundation of Lampasas, Texas at 201 S. Main St., Lampasas, TX 76550; the American Heart Association at www.heart. org; or the American Diabetes Association at www. diabetes.org.
