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AlienGirl - Former Democratic state House candidate Shelly Leonard dies of cancer [View all]
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: (727) 729-6887
More: http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/elections/former-democratic-state-house-candidate-shelly-leonard-dies-of-cancer/1215436
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: (727) 729-6887
More: http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/elections/former-democratic-state-house-candidate-shelly-leonard-dies-of-cancer/1215436
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