Jenny M. O'Leary

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Jenny Marie (Tobin) O’Leary on February 15, 2024.

Jenny was born May 3rd, 1979 to Mark Tobin and Carolyn Elizabeth (Liz) Sternhagen in Albert Lea, Minnesota. She enjoyed a childhood surrounded by aunts, uncles, and many cousins who were raised with her like siblings. She had a special bond with her grandmothers Flora, Jean, and Rose. She loved Cabbage Patch dolls, riding her banana seat bike, and playing with Barbies and her kitties. She could be found most times caring for her younger siblings, Malarie, Mason and Spencer. Whether it was feeding them bottles or protecting them from bears, she enjoyed nurturing most of all. Jenny was a natural caretaker and always dreamed of being a mom.

Jenny’s love for the outdoors and exploring started at a young age. Enjoying camping and fishing trips with her family. With a passion for nurturing both nature and family, Jenny found solace in the simplicity of gardening and the serenity of the beach. Her love for the outdoors was evident in the vibrant backyard that hosted graduation celebrations and kids' pool parties. She loved planting anything outdoors that would bring hummingbirds, cardinals, and dragonflies by. Whether it was the gentle rustle of leaves, the calming rhythm of the waves, or the serenity of being by lakes in Minnesota, listening to storms, and catching fireflies, Jenny found tranquility in the embrace of the natural world. As she started her own family with Kevin, Jenny loved when her family could experience the richness of new places together. Jenny never wanted to miss a sunset.

Jenny attended high school in Albert Lea and White Bear Lake, MN. She graduated in 1997 and moved to Phoenix, Arizona to attend college where she met the love of her life, Kevin O’Leary. Jenny and Kevin moved to Pennsylvania to be close to Kevin’s family. Jenny and Kevin were united in marriage in September 2002. Shortly after they got married, Jenny and Kevin became restaurateurs and enjoyed a successful career as owners of The Melting Pot in Bethlehem, PA.

During their marriage, Jenny and Kevin had four beautiful children who were the center of their world. Shanleigh Grace made them parents for the first time followed by Liam Michael, Finnegan Michael, and Nolan Michael completed their family.

Everyone who knows Jenny well has experienced her infectious laugh, not always at the most appropriate times. She had a silly sense of humor and loved to dance, not well, but she never let it stop her. Jenny had a huge heart, and she loved to help people. Much to Kevin’s chagrin, Jenny remained a hardcore Minnesota Vikings fan which made watching football games interesting. Jenny enjoyed gardening, expressing herself creatively in many different forms, being in nature, and her church family. Her bible study group was a source of great pleasure and comfort for her. She also had many close friends who were like family to her.

Jenny was preceded in death by her husband, Kevin O’Leary, Grandparents Jean and Chuck Stearns and Wiley Robert Moseley, and her stepfather Troy Stearnhagen. She is survived by her four beautiful children Shanleigh (21), Liam (19), Finn (12), and Nolan (9) her parents, Liz Stearnhagen of Albert Lea, MN, and Mark and Kristi Tobin of Seattle, WA. Her siblings Spencer Stearnhagen of Albert Lea, MN, Malarie (Nathan) Benfield of Ellensburg, WA, Mason (Diane) Tobin of Seattle, WA, her grandmother Rose Tobin of Albert Lea, MN, the O’Leary family, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and her Melting Pot family.

A Celebration of Jenny’s life will be held this Friday, February 23rd at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. at the St. Maria Goretti Church. 1601 Derstine Road, Hatfield, PA.