On December 13, 2025, the world lost one of its most beautiful and loving souls with the passing of Jeannine, née Leathers, Conley, at 90 years young. She was a woman defined by love, devotion, strength, and grace, and to know Jeannine was to love her deeply. She had a rare gift for making everyone feel loved and important. Her life was not measured by years alone, though she was blessed with many, but by the deep and lasting love she gave so freely to those around her.

Jeannine (Mom) was born on November 11, 1935, in Waterville, Maine to her loving parents, Erlon and Iris (Colson) Leathers. She was shaped early by the love of her family, resilience gained from working young, and a natural calling to care for others. As the eldest of five siblings (Sylvia, Warner, Carol and Nadine), she became a steady source of guidance and strength throughout their lives. Growing up, she was a talented athlete, shining in both softball and basketball, and earning the honor of serving as captain of both teams.

Family was always the center of Mom's world. She moved to Connecticut as a young woman to support her cherished Aunt Ina and Uncle Leonard, and from that moment on Connecticut became her home. Still, Maine never left her. Her thick Maine accent stayed with her throughout her life, a warm reminder of where she came from and what she held closest to her heart.

It was in Maine that she met a fellow Mainer and the love of her life, Lawrence (Larry) Conley. They were married there in 1955 while Larry was home on leave from the Marine Corps, a wedding she proudly recalled planning with little more than a weekend's notice.

Mom and Dad built a home grounded in family. She was a deeply devoted mother, taking immense pride in her six children and their spouses: Randall and his wife Miree; Teresa Skudzienski and her husband Bob; Jeffrey, who predeceased her in 2023, and his wife Shirley; Darcie Rahuba and her husband Michael, who predeceased her in 2024; Ronald and his wife Mildred; and William and his wife Kim. Mom instilled in us love, strength, and grace. She was a constant loving presence in our lives, faithfully showing up for events, milestones, and graduations, leading Cub Scouts, Brownies, and Girl Scouts, serving on the Alcott School PTO, running the PTO ice cream booth at the Wolcott Fair, guiding children as an AWANA leader, and creating a home that welcomed everyone with open arms. In her later years, her daughters Darcie and Kim served as her primary caregivers, surrounding her with the same love and devotion she had given to so many throughout her life.

Each summer, Mom brought us back to her beloved Maine, where treasured memories were made. Days on Uncle Leonard's boat, time at Uncle Dick's and Mickey's camp spent fishing and swimming in the swimming holes, lunches at Billy's Chowder House, pancakes at the Maine Diner, and sharing her favorite Butterfield's ice cream, especially black raspberry, became cherished traditions woven into family life.

Mom was a proud grandmother to 21 grandchildren and their spouses: Dennis, Debra, Beth and her husband Dan, Andrew, Sara, Rachel and her husband Jordan, Anna, Leah, Danielle, Lydia, Matthew, Anamarie and her husband Greg, Christina and her husband Scott, John, Michelle, Melanie and her husband Kyle, Joemill and his wife Zandra, Shawn, Stephanie, Marion, and Dan. Her grandchildren cherish memories of playing in Nana's backyard on the swing set and in the sandbox, games of tag, hide and seek, and backyard baseball while she watched lovingly from the kitchen or dining room window. Nana could often be found reading books to her grandchildren, hosting movie sleepovers, and creating moments of connection that felt simple and magical.

Mom was also blessed with 13 great-grandchildren: Madeline, Nicholas, Lila, Allie, Emma, Alivia, Mya, Alexis, Annora, Audrey, Charlotte, Eleanor and Nathan. She took great pride in their lives and milestones, making it clear at every opportunity how cherished each child was.

It was in everyday moments that Mom shone brightest. She was known for her apple pies, holiday gatherings filled with delicious food, laughter and coffee, birthday celebrations, and phone calls through which her care was always felt. Her home radiated warmth, comfort, and love.

Mom shared many joys with Dad, among them a deep love for UConn Huskies basketball, proudly cheering for both the men's and women's teams and passing that tradition on to her children and grandchildren, creating a lasting family bond around the Huskies. She loved spending time with her sons and lunch shopping trips with her daughters. Inevitably, any conversation you'd have with Mom would include her love and pride for her children and their accomplishments.

Mom found joy in nature and its beauty, especially birds and her garden full of magnificent peonies. We will never hear the sound of a wind chime without thinking of her. One of Mom's most cherished memories was traveling to Hawaii with Dad, marveling at the scenery and wildlife. She also treasured an Alaskan cruise with her dear friend Mrs. Baranowski, with whom she is now reunited.

Mom lived her life guided by faith, family, and generosity. She held a deep belief in Jesus and sought to live according to the teachings of the Bible: loving others, caring for the poor and the sick, and offering compassion without judgment. Though her life was not without hardship, she showed her family how to endure trials with grace.

As a family, we take comfort in believing that Mom was welcomed into heaven by her dear Jesus, reunited with those she loved who had gone before her, including our wonderful Dad, for whom she waited for 26 years to be reunited, her sons Jeffrey and Michael, her parents and siblings and the grandchildren and great grandchildren who were held only briefly in this life and were lovingly waiting to meet her.

What we will miss most from our Mom, our Nana, and our Great-Nana is her loving presence. She was a constant throughout our lives, and the space she leaves behind is immeasurable. Yet we move forward knowing she would want us to remain strong together and grounded in love.

We will remember you, Mom and Nana, when we hear Tony Bennett playing softly in a restaurant, when we see a beautiful flower garden or a glowing Christmas tree, when we sip a cup of tea, enjoy a slice of apple or chocolate pie, watch a UConn basketball game, or catch sight of a cardinal flying by. We will remember you every minute of every day, but especially in these moments, when your love feels the closest.

We are endlessly blessed to be your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

We love you forever, Mom and Nana.

Friends and family are invited to celebrate Jeannine's life on Tuesday December 23, 2025 at a Memorial Service beginning at 1 PM at Woodtick Memorial 420 Woodtick Rd. in Wolcott followed by burial in Woodtick Cemetery. Calling hours are Tuesday morning beginning at 11 AM until the start of the services. Woodtick Memorial is honored to have been entrusted with Jeannine's funeral arrangements, and you may visit her tribute page on www.woodtickmemorial.com for online condolences and more information.