AlienGirl - Former Democratic state House candidate Shelly Leonard dies of cancer

[csziggy]

Former Democratic state House candidate Shelly Leonard dies of cancer

By Mike Brassfield, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Wednesday, February 15, 2012

CLEARWATER — When she ran against incumbent state Rep. Ed Hooper in 2010, Shelly Leonard wasn't your typical candidate. She was a 37-year-old single mother and cancer survivor.

The feisty Democrat made her cancer history a part of her stump speech, talking about the need to make health insurance more accessible. More than 16,000 people voted for her in Clearwater-based House District 50. But nearly 24,000 voted to keep her opponent in office, so Leonard went back to her job as a social worker.

Last year, her oral cancer returned. On Saturday, she died due to complications from chemotherapy, just days before her 39th birthday. "She was fighting the cancer valiantly," said her friend and campaign treasurer, Van Farber. "She passed away peacefully, without pain, and surrounded by members of her immediate family."

<SNIP>

Celebration of Shelly Leonard's life

What: Dinner, live music and dancing

When: 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25

Where: Fort Harrison Hotel, 210 S Fort Harrison Ave., Clearwater

Admission: A $35 check made out to the Neighborhood Coalition to Preserve the MLK Center

Information: [phone]

More: http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/elections/former-democratic-state-house-candidate-shelly-leonard-dies-of-cancer/1215436

[catbyte]

1. Gentle passing, AlienGirl

RIP

Diane
Anishinaabe in MI

[blm]

2. Sail on AlienGirl...Sail on by

Peace to her family and to all who loved her.

[auntAgonist]

3. Thanks for posting this. I'm sorry I didn't think to post about her passing in this group.

She will be sorely missed.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/101854174

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002302523

aA
kesha

[csziggy]

8. I had seen your posts in the other areas

But the last time I had searched for information about her, I set up a news alert. It was always a relief when there were no hits because I was so worried about what a hit would be. But this morning the news alert was in my email.

Edited to add: I put this here in case any Florida DUers wanted to attend the celebration of her life at the event in the article.

She will be missed. She left us far too early and so young.

[sinkingfeeling]

4. In the arms of an angel, fly away.

[progressoid]

5. ...

[woofless]

6. I thought Alien Girl (Tucker) lived in Seattle.

[csziggy]

7. I think she had moved to Florida not long before she ran for office

[tavalon]

14. At the end, she did.

Bright blessings to Alien Girl and condolences to the family she leaves behind.

[louslobbs]

9. May she rest in peace......too young, way too young. n/t

Lou

[myrna minx]

10. .

[Skittles]

11. .

[csziggy]

13. Thank you for posting her picture

What a beautiful woman. And what a loss.

[babsbunny]

12. RIP

As I know you will...........

[Woody Woodpecker]

15. .

Godspeed, Tucker.