Ruth Ann (Saunders) Leon, 86

Ruth Ann (Saunders) Leon of Franklin passed away on November 4, 2022, at the age of 86 surrounded by her loving family.

Beloved wife of the late Mario Leon, Beloved Mother of the late Pamela Novaco, Glenn Smith and his wife Tris of Abingdon, VA, and Karen Smith-Lichtenstein and her husband Ronald of Walpole, MA, and her sister Judith Clark of Newington, NH.

Born in Passaic, NJ on Oct 4, 1936, the daughter of the late Wallace Banta and Ruth (Wise) Saunders, Ruth grew up in Nutley, NJ. Later living in Kerhonkson, NY, and the Massachusetts towns of Dennis, Norfolk, and Franklin. Ruth loved cooking, baking, sewing, fishing, gardening, painting, antiquing and yard sales.

Ruth had a strong passion for birdwatching & wildlife. She was thrilled to volunteer with the Cape Cod National Seashore to help track the movements of an endangered species of bird called Piping Plovers.

Ruth spent considerable time volunteering—she volunteered with the following: Senior AmeriCorps of Cape Cod, Mass Audubon Stoney Brook Norfolk & Long Pasture Cape Cod & Norfolk Cable TV. She was active in the Ulster County, NY Democratic Committee, Wawarsing Sportsman’s Club, Kerhonkson Lyons Club, and a member of the Cape Cod Salties.

Ruth is pre-deceased by her Sisters Lois Saunders and Lynne Lemma, her Stepdaughter Linda Gallo and Son in law Richard Gallo. She is survived by her Grandchildren: Damian Novaco, Nicole Novaco, Morgan Smith, Blair Lichtenstein, Megan Ruiz, Mario Gallo, Richard Gallo, Laura Crane, Robert Gallo & their wives and children, Great-grandmother, Great Great-Grandmother, Aunt, and friend to many.

In Lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Ruth’s memory to: Mass Audubon Society

Services will take place in Nutley, NJ. Date TBD.