Altagrace Leonard

Altagrace Jean-Gilles Leonard passed away on Saturday, September 3, 2022, surrounded by love. She was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on September 17, 1957 to mother Gertrude Robuste, and father Pierre-Paul Jean-Gilles.

Mom is a very bright, loving, and caring person. She has the most beautiful smile I've ever seen. It lights up any room she steps in. Mom is the most selfless person I've ever known. She is always willing to help others and become a blessing in their lives. My mom is my best friend, my heart, and my everything. She is the heart and peacemaker of our family. She has made countless sacrifices for our family, some we may never know about. Mom has every birthday, mother's day, and anniversary card we've ever given her.

Mom is very spiritual. Every morning, she wakes up around 4:30 to read her Bible and listen to daily prayers on her phone. She loves classical music, dancing, and making us laugh. Many times, I have put on her favorite songs in our living room and danced with her and Dad, she loves it. Her smile flows so easily, and she's the happiest and most optimistic person I know.

Mom is multi-talented. She's an entrepreneur. She can build anything with her hands, and she's always willing to learn additional skills. She knows so much about cars and owns several toolboxes. She never ceases to amaze me. She is a gardener by excellence. I think every seed she has ever planted is now a beautiful plant. Her favorite plant is the royal poinciana, it blooms around mother's day, and she is mesmerized when she sees it. She's a terrific cook, the best in my opinion. I think her secret ingredient is love.

Mom is the family photographer. She has pictures of everyone in the family at any given point in time. She has countless pictures and videos of Stan and me as children as well as her grandson, Gavin, that she revisits with such love as she flips through the pages of her albums. I tear up every time she talks so lovingly about us. Sometimes, as I would get in my car, she would stand in the doorway and blow me kisses and say "hang loose", I would blow her kisses as a reply and laugh, then she would give me that glorious smile of hers and wave goodbye.

Mom is the wisest, strongest, and most courageous person I have ever known. She has no fears. Anytime a challenge presents itself, Mom carefully analyzes it and is willing to conquer it. She is quietly humble and intelligent. One of Mom's favorite prayers is the serenity prayer. She has it in every room of the house, and it goes: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things that I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." That is how Mom lived her life. She looked forward and not back. She always learns from her experiences. Rest in peace, my love.

Altagrace Leonard is survived by Roland Leonard, her husband of 35 years, her son Stanley, daughter Brittany, grandson Gavin, and many brothers and sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins, and godchildren.

Altagrace Leonard's Memorial service will be on September 17, 2022, at 10:00 am at St. Andrew Catholic Church at 801 N. Hastings Street, Orlando, FL 32808.