Maria Jennie Leonardi, 94, of Rockland, Massachusetts, formerly of East Haven, beloved wife of the late Ernest Leonardi, died Nov. 22 in Rockland. She was born April 15, 1919 in East Haven to the late Nicholas and Catherine Palmieri Gentile. 

“Jennie,” as she was known to family and friends, grew up in East Haven and was raised in a close and beautiful family. After she and Ernest were married they lived in New Haven, Milford, and Ansonia. Jennie was a devoted mother and wife, and very proud that all of her children graduated from college.

She is survived by her daughters Catherine Genera and her husband Thomas of Guilford, Carol Lynn Wheeler and her husband Daniel of Washington, and Janet  Leonardi and her husband Michael Handler of Middletown; three grandchildren, Phillip Thomas Genera; and Kerri and Dane Wheeler; daughter-in-law Cora Leonardi Smith of Massachusetts; and several loving nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her son Ernest James Leonardi; a daughter, Phyllis Jean Leonardi; brother Frank Gentile; and sisters Mary Ginnetti and Diane Landino.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Friday, Nov. 29 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 731 Main St, Branford, followed by burial in Evergreen Cemetery, 769 Ella Grasso Blvd, New Haven. Friends may call prior to Mass from 9 -10:30 a.m. at the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St, Guilford. Contributions in Jennie’s memory may be made to the American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Dr, Wallingford, CT 06492. The Guilford Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. To share a memory or leave a message of condolence for the family, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com.