On December 20, 2016 in Raleigh, North Carolina, my Mom, Mary Leonard Wichalonis, received an offer she couldn't refuse from Heaven. Born on November 18, 1933 in Argentia, Newfoundland Canada and raised in nearby Freshwater Placentia Bay, Mom was one of seven children born to my grandparents, John and Agnes Leonard. Back in her earlier days Mom loved dancing with her girlfriends at the Naval Station Military Club in Argentia. In 1958, it was here that she met and fell in love with my Dad, Bob. Marrying three months later, theirs was a true partnership. Family and her Catholic faith were paramount to Mom, raising two children together, a daughter Lisa and a son Gerard. Mom and Dad were lifelong companions, sharing 52 years of marriage until his call from Heaven in 2010. My Dad once told me that he loved Mom so much because there was always a mystery about her that kept him intrigued. I remember how proud Mom was to be sworn in as an American citizen in 1983. We travelled the US while Dad was in the military, them finally settling in Georgia. Mom designed fabulous floral arrangements, incorporating personal elements of our family to celebrate and remember important life events, like my First Holy Communion. She also created elegant ornamental eggs, loved cake decorating, gardening and had a passion for interior design. A beautiful woman both inside and out, Mom was selfless. Her warmth was evident by everyone she met, especially children. In her later years, Mom enjoyed traveling with Dad, going for long walks, nights at the Atlanta symphony, and movie/dine-out evenings. She especially loved visiting her family in Newfoundland. In addition to her devoted children Lisa and Gerard, Mom is remembered by her much beloved grandchildren Karoline, Mary-Kate, and Nicholas Wichalonis and her daughter-in-law Kim. She is also survived by her dear and loving sisters Delores Sinnott of Vancouver, BC and Carmel Plank from Mortier, NL. Mom will be laid to rest next to Dad at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA. In lieu of flowers, please celebrate Mom's life by making a donation to the American Lung Association to help fight Tuberculosis.