Elizabeth Leonard-Clark passed away unexpectedly at her home in Newburyport on November 27, 2015. Born in Winsted, Conn., on March 12, 1969, she was the daughter of Laurie Christiansen of Newburyport and Richard Leonard of Miami Beach, Fla.
Elizabeth graduated from Newburyport High School, class of 1987. Her next stop was Suffolk University in Boston, where she quickly came to the conclusion that studying accounting was not for her and she began her journey into learning everything about food and its preparation.
Trained as a chef at Johnson & Wales University at their North Miami Campus in Florida, her passion for cooking and showing her love of family and friends through the meals she prepared for them began to develop.
Whether it was a home cooked meal for her family or a catering job for 75, she put her heart and soul into the quality and uniqueness of her culinary creations. In her learning experience at J & W she realized that whether she was cooking in a high-end hotel restaurant or preparing something delicious from the contents of a soup kitchen's pantry, quality, great presentation, and well prepared food was a basic right deserved by everyone.
She began her career at Audubon Circle near Fenway Park in Boston where she was awarded Best Burger in Boston by Boston Magazine in 1996. From there, she relocated to the Newburyport area where she worked at local restaurants and catering firms. After a work-related injury in 2012, she was then unable to continue in her demanding profession, but she was still known for the best peanut sauce ever made.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Stephen Clark of Newburyport; and her three daughters, Montana Clark of Falmouth, and Avery Clark and Kiley Fougere of Newburyport. She is also survived by her brothers, Michael Leonard and his wife, Stacey of Brentwood, N.H.; and Jake Leonard of Miami Beach; her nephew, Nicolas and niece, Arianna; in addition to aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends too numerous to mention. She also leaves her stepmother, Diane Leonard of Miami Beach; and her stepfather, Richard George of Newburyport. She was a warm and caring woman with a contagious laugh, a big heart and a soft-spot for someone in need. The world will not be the same without her. May she rest in peace now.
Friends and family may call at Elliot, Woodworth & Rogers Funeral Home at 35 Green Street, Newburyport, on Wednesday, December 2, 2015, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the First Religious Society at 26 Pleasant Street in Newburyport on Thursday, December 3, 2015, at 1 p.m., with a reception to follow in the church hall. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to a funding campaign for the family's expenses at www.de.gofund.me/uqccbtu2, set up by Liz's dear friend, Karen.