Over the past 16 years Leonie has shared her expertise in such art pursuits as silk painting; pencil and charcoal drawing; reverse painting on glass; and watercolour, pastel, gouache, and oil painting. Never a lover of acrylic, she nonetheless encouraged and tutored those of us who did like this medium.

We will long remember her wise words: “Where there is dark, there is light”. She intended this not only for painting, but as a life mantra which she followed until her death.

She began drawing as a young child and despite a long and rewarding nursing career, she continued to draw and paint throughout her life.

Leonie undertook formal art training at Sydney College of the Arts as a mature age student. Her passion for realism was not in vogue at the time but she remained true to this passion throughout her long art adventure.

Each year Leonie challenged her art students to create art works to a theme such as ‘water’; ‘The Masters’ and ‘A touch of yellow’. These were displayed in Ormsby House during Senior Citizens’ Week.

Despite living in Nabiac, Leonie arrived at Ormsby House at 8am every Friday to set up for her class at 9am.

She rarely sat down during the three-hour class, giving individual attention to each person in the class. She generally remained until 1pm making sure art materials were put away and Ormsby House was locked up and secure.

Leonie genuinely cared for each and every one of her students and would ring students who were away to check on their welfare.

While she took a break from teaching in December and January each year, she invited students to her home to undertake projects that could not be done at Ormsby House during the year.

Unlike some senior citizens who are hesitant users of modern technologies, Leonie embraced new technologies with curiosity and enthusiasm.

She was a regular user of email to stay in touch with her many friends and students. Her yearly Christmas newsletter was weeks in the creation on her computer and was welcomed by students (current and past). Leonie usually included her own drawings (often political) and paintings that reflected her strong social justice beliefs.

Leonie’s love of her extended family and friends; her long and rewarding career as a nurse and her tireless contribution to Nabiac, especially through Landcare, have been documented elsewhere. Many in Taree will also remember her as the Founder of Taree Craft Group.

Leonie will long be remembered by all her art students at Ormsby House as a gifted and talented artist; an inspiring art teacher; and a generous and kind friend.

Vale Leonie