Joy Leonardo

Joy Velasco Leonardo, 78, passed away peacefully at her home in Lampasas, Texas 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. Following 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 happily married for 54 years. They built a young life together in Metro-Manila before moving to the United States in 1974.  

Following 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 fulfilling medical practice over the next thirty-eight years.   

Joy was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and was devout to her faith. A hurdler in her youth, she enjoyed quilting and traveling. She was an avid reader, a talented writer, and a highly gifted linguist. Above all, she was "Mom" and "Lola" and was happiest when surrounded by her family, especially her children and grandchildren, and pets. 

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; step-grandchildren McKenzie and Ethan and canine grandchildren Lulu, Soju and Bobby. She also leaves behind her siblings and several nieces, nephews and cousins.  

A rosary will be held at Sneed-Carnley Funeral Chapel on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at 5:30 p.m., followed by visitation with the family from 6:00-7:30 p.m. A private funeral mass and interment will take place on Wednesday, July 27, 2022. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Library Foundation of Lampasas,  

Texas at 201 South Main Street, Lampasas, Texas 76550, The American Heart Assocation at www.heart.org or The American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org.