Somers Obituary: Leanne Van Kleeck, 51

Leanne Van Kleeck, 51, of Somers, passed away peacefully at home on April 15, 2017.

She was born March 20, 1966 in Hyannis, MA and was raised in Tequesta, FL where she graduated from Jupiter High School in 1984. She later moved to Indiana and then to Texas. In 2000 she returned to Tequesta, FL for a year before moving to Somers in 2002.

She graduated from Asnuntuck Community College in 2006 earning an Associate’s Degree in Human Services and later attended Bay Path College in Longmeadow, MA all the while overcoming her spinal cord injury.

Leanne was a beautiful, strong-willed, loving and sincere person with a heart of gold. She always had a smile for everyone and enjoyed being in the company of friends. She was greatly loved by her parents and her children. She loved her pets, Cassie, Oreo and Sunshine. She also enjoyed going out to eat and ending dinner with a big vanilla soft-serve ice cream with chocolate sprinkles.

Leanne’s favorite pastimes were watching her favorite television shows; The Big Bang Theory, Judge Judy and old reruns of Roseanne and The Golden Girls. She also loved to attend some of her daughter’s horse shows and watch Marley enjoy her passion for her horse.

Leanne’s greatest loves were her two children who were the light of her life and of whom she was very proud. She leaves her mother, her lifelong best friend who she shared everyday with. Leanne will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.

She is survived by her parents; Vivian and Bill Van Kleeck, son, Jeffrey Stafford; daughter, Marley Stafford and her boyfriend Anthony Pugliese; aunt and uncle, Carol and Ronald Choiniere (Enfield); uncle, Michael Ouellette (Adams,MA); great aunt, Lorette LaCoix (Holyoke, MA); great aunt, Jeanne Moore (Wilbraham, MA): cousins, Karen Isabelle (Ron); Kristen Bruno (Pete) and Michael Choiniere (Patty) all of Enfield and Julie Sniezek (Jay) of Adams, MA ; her best friend, Tracey Hines (Port St. Lucie, FL) and many more wonderful extended family and friends. She was predeceased by the love of her life, Jeffrey Stafford, her sister, Andrea Van Kleeck , her aunt Barbara Ouellette and her cousins, Michael and Christopher Ouellette.

To honor Leanne and her Sister Andrea who passed away unexpectedly in June 16th, 2016, relatives and friends may join the family for visitation, Friday, April 21, 2017 between 5 - 8 pm with a prayer service following at 8 pm at Somers Funeral Home, 354 Main St. (Rt. 190), Somers. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the United Spinal Association. http://www.spinalcord.org/dona...