Joanne S. Leard (Herra)

January 7, 1939 — December 26, 2019

Joanne S. (Herra) Leard, 80, a resident of Cardinal Lane, Bennington, VT passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, December 26, 2019 at the Center for Living and Rehabilitation in Bennington, VT.

Joanne was born in North Reading, MA on January 7, 1939, she was the daughter of the late John Herra and Bernice Burdick. She was raised in the Boston, MA area.

She was predeceased by her devoted son Wayne Leard in 2003 and beloved husband of 55 years, Dick Leard in 2014.

Joanne and Dick were married in Somerville, MA on January 17, 1959 and moved to Bennington in 1965. In earlier years she had worked at various jobs and in 1972 she began her employment at Globe Union (Johnson controls). In 1981 Joanne became the Health and Safety Trainer at Globe Union and held that position until they closed in 1994. During that time, she received her education at the UAW Training Center in Black Lake, Michigan and was diligent in speaking out on equal rights in the work place. On October 25, 1991, Joanne was presented with an award by the UAW Region 9-A and Local 1371 for her outstanding contribution that led the US Supreme Court to ban fetal protection policies and reaffirm safe jobs as a right for all workers.
Joanne enjoyed golf, traveling, cooking, watching TV, knitting, crocheting, crosswords and spending time with her family and her American Legion Post 13 family as well.

Survivors include her son, Rick Leard of Bennington, daughter and son in law Valerie and Paul Clark of Woodford. Her grandchildren, Josh (Tiffany) Clark, Kyle Leard, Jamie (Ashley) Clark, Jillian (Miles) Weaver, Rachel Leard, Kelsey (Len) Kenyon, Karley Clark and Morgan Leard. Her great grandchildren, Jadyn, Cameron, Carson, Hadley, Leium, Marley, Gavyn, Kai, Haiden, Wyatt, Jack and Oakley. A brother in law, Bernie Leard and several nieces and nephews. Joanne was predeceased by two sisters, Jackie Dunleavey and Mary Hardy and two brothers, Walter and James Herra.

Friends may call at the Mahar and Son Funeral Home on Sunday December 29, 2019 from noon until 2:00 p.m.

The memorial service will be offered at the funeral home on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. A reception will follow the services at the American Legion Post 13 in Bennington.

In lieu of flowers contributions in memory of Joanne S. Leard may be made to either the American Legion Post 13 or to the Bennington Rescue Squad through the office of the Mahar and Son Funeral Home 628 Main St. Bennington, VT 05201.

Guest book condolences may be made at www.maharandsonfuneralhome.net

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joanne S. Leard (Herra), please visit our flower store.

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Visitation

Sunday, December 29, 2019

12:00 - 2:00 pm (Eastern time)

E. P. Mahar and Son Funeral Home

, Bennington, VT

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