Jean Barbara Macklin

Jean Barbara Macklin

July 29, 1953 — October 9, 2023

Spring Hill, FL

On October 9th, in the late morning, Jean Barbara (Leonardi) Macklin went home to be with the Lord at the age of 70. With her passing, the world lost an irreplaceable warmth and grace—of a welcoming hand to all, a cherished friend of many, and a laugh whose contagiousness was matched only by her smile.

Jean Barbara Leonardi was born and raised in West Boylston, Massachusetts, and had a deep love of family, friends, and the Lord. Her parents, Mario Leonardi, a boxer and retired truck driver, and Stephania (Leonardi) Salloum, a retiree of Astra Pharmaceutical Co., were loving parents who imbued her with a down-to-earth work ethic and generosity that never changed.

Jean attended West Boylston High School, where she enjoyed socializing with friends, academics, and cultivated her love of field hockey and gymnastics. Later, she worked as a clerk at a credit union before raising her four children. She was the consummate home economist, unmatched in needlework and gift wrapping, a favorite part-time job during the holidays.

Jean’s life was first and foremost dedicated to family, of which she was both the glue and the heart. They lived variously in West Boylston, MA, Pleasant Gardens, NC, Laconia, NH, finally settling for 36 years in Spring Hill, FL. She volunteered to coach gymnastics, taught her children and many of her grandchildren to read, and was a highly regarded crafter.

While Jean’s highest priority was always family, her faith and humanity led her to serve in various church communities and she would regularly be spotted at services most nights of the week. She was a prayer warrior who kept a long list of those seeking her intercession. Serving Jesus Christ was her passion.

Jean was a strong and wonderful soul, courageous in life and death. She will forever be remembered for her devotion to her family, friends and savior, Jesus Christ. Her grace in passing is captured in 2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

Jean is survived by her children Neil Macklin, Brian Macklin, Kerry Haj and Andrea Macklin, 11 beautiful grandchildren, one great granddaughter, a son-in-law, a daughter-in-law, two sisters, Karen Rickets and Katherine Whalen, and a large muster of adoring cousins, nephews, and nieces. She is preceded in death by a brother, John Leonardi, and two sisters, Joan Leonardi and Della Tornblom.

Mom, thank you for everything you sacrificed for us, we will love you forever and cherish all the memories we have.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral service on Saturday, November 4th at 2 pm, at Pinecrest Funeral Chapel, 3369 Mariner Blvd, Spring Hill, FL 34609.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to https://gofund.me/855765f2