Obituary of Nora B. Leahy

Nora “Rene” Leahy (Marchant), 90, life long Cambridge resident, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 17, 2025.  

Rene was funny, strong and spirited!  She worked numerous years in the Cambridge Public School System as a head-start teacher.  She shared her love with so many children that she would get stopped on the streets to get a hug from adult former students.  

If Rene wasn’t in Cambridge cheering on the Bruins or the Patriots, you could find her at her other love, her “sanctuary” place at Hampton Beach.  

Rene was predeceased by her parents Wallace and Helen (McQuire) Marchant; Brothers Wallace (Wally), Donald and Robert.  She was also predeceased by her husband John William Leahy, two of her children Karen (Leahy) McElearney and Patrick Leahy as well as one grandchild, Bryan Murphy.

She is survived by her son John William Leahy Jr. (Pamela) and Colleen Murphy, as well as grandchildren Renee Chisholm (Michael), Kyle McElearney (Ravali), Erin Murphy, Cara Marie Leahy, Sean Patrick Leahy, great grandchildren Ariyana, Brendan, Connor, sister-in-law Beverly Marchant and many nieces and nephews. 

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary of the Annunciation Church, 134 Norfolk St, Cambridge on Wednesday, October 22nd at 10AM.  A viewing will start at 9:00 AM at the church before the mass.  The burial will follow at the Cambridge City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Nora Leahy Memorial Fund at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the DAV (Disable American Veterans).