Virginia Masters Leonard

Virginia Masters Leonard, of Yorktown, passed away peacefully in May 2026. She almost reached her 95th birthday.
Virginia was born in Lansing, Michigan in 1931 and raised in Salem, Virginia. She attended Our Lady of Nazareth High School and afterward graduated Roanoke College, Class of 1949. She remained active with Delta Gamma sorority well after her college experience and attended alumni reunion weekends at Roanoke College. She married her childhood friend, Dan Leonard, the summer after graduation and celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary shortly before his passing. Early in their marriage Virginia taught high school and then recertified as a first-grade teacher after her husband entered the army. Frequent relocations during her husband’s career made it difficult to maintain an independent career. She obtained teaching certificates from universities in various states to enable her to continue working. After the birth of their two daughters, her priorities shifted. She became a full-time mother. Virginia excelled at homemaking and passed down family holiday traditions. During her family’s growing years, Virginia was active as a Brownie and Girl Scout leader. In the 1970s, she served as Chairman of the Red Cross volunteers at a hospital in Ft. Wainwright, Alaska.
Faith, Family, and Country were the pillars of her world view. She joined Salem Baptist Church, singing in the choir and volunteering with Vacation Bible School. In her later years, she was a member of Seaford Baptist Church in Seaford, Virginia. She and Dan
were active with the Lions Club and Meals on Wheels. Virginia received pleasure perusing the Hallmark Dreambook and adding to her family’s ornament collection.
Virginia traveled to many places around the country and the world with her husband, and on occasion with her parents who led overseas tours.
Her family line descends from a Mayflower passenger. She was proud of her heritage of forebears who fought in the American Revolution, Civil War, Spanish-American War, WWI, and the Vietnam War. The DAR certified her membership.
Predeceasing Virginia were her husband, Col. (Ret.) Dan S. Leonard, her parents, Miles and Margaret Masters, her brother, Robert S. Masters, her sister Elizabeth “Betty” Masters, and her daughter Elizabeth Leonard Ryan. She is survived by her daughter Margaret “Peggy” Clark (Wayne), son-in-law Patrick J. Ryan, brother Miles H. Masters (Madeline); Sister-in-Law Bettie Sue Masters; nieces Chamberlain Masters Miller, Helen Masters Durham (Lucian), Diane Masters Iwinski (Mark), Deborah Masters Camitta (Michael), and Rella Leonard-Leo; nephews Randy Smith (Karen Klein), Barry Smith (Chrissy Wylie), Len Smith; grandchildren Dana Ryan Kizer (John), and Sean Ryan; and great-granddaughter Lilly Elizabeth Kizer.
The family will receive friends at Amory Funeral Home, 410 Grafton Dr., Grafton VA on Mon. June 1st from 2-4 PM.
Rev. Brian Gordon will officiate the private funeral service on Wed. June 3rd at 3 PM, in the Abbey Chapel at Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem, VA, with committal in the surrounding cemetery. Pastor Michael Howard will conduct a Celebration of Life service on Mon. June 15, 11:00 AM, at Seaford Baptist Church in the Student Center. Family will greet friends at the reception in the “donut room” following the service.
Upon Virginia’s request, memorial contributions may be made to the “Elizabeth Leonard Ryan Memorial Fund” at Seaford Baptist Church, 1311 Seaford Rd., Seaford VA 23696.
Most appreciated are her dear friends, neighbors, and church family who provided companionship and lightness of spirit during her waning years. Our family wants to acknowledge Dr. Sarah West who took time to get to know Virginia personally during her short stay at Riverside Medical Center. Special thanks to everyone staffing the “3 West” unit in the Pavilion: Marcus, Ruby, Jade, Desirée, Fanny, Maria, Deven, Micah, Raychon, Roberto, Georgianna, Crystal, and Victoria. You are a dream team which met all her needs, and helped her feel safe, seen, and valued. You have touched our hearts in so many ways. Finally, our deep appreciation extends to the compassionate caregivers of Riverside Walter Reed Hospice who responded at a moment’s notice (especially Jessica, Angela, Megan, Jennifer, and Lydia).