Sr. Marie LeBlanc
Born In: Florence
Passed in: Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: June 25th, 2013
Sister Marie LeBlanc, 75, formerly Sister Mary Jerome, a Sister of St. Martha of Antigonish, died at Bethany, the motherhouse, on June 25, 2013. She was in her 52nd year of religious life.
A native of Florence, Cape Breton, N.S., Marie was the daughter of Alexander and Lillian (Jessome) LeBlanc. She grew up in Florence with 13 siblings – six sisters and seven brothers.
Following a year of working at St. Joseph’s Rectory, North Sydney, Marie entered the Congregation in 1958, and professed perpetual vows in 1966. Her first years as a ‘Martha’ were lived in the Antigonish area and at Bay St. Lawrence serving in various aspects of homemaking. For three years Marie was part of the Sisters’ community at the Cardinal’s Residence, Toronto, where she again helped to ‘make the house a home’. Sister, then, studied at St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, to receive her Certified Nursing Assistant qualifications. After a year on staff at St. Michael’s, Marie returned to Nova Scotia and to patient care at Bethany Infirmary. This was followed by several years of volunteer service at 'The Manor' in New Waterford. When a wing of Bethany was converted to ‘Bethany Center’ Sister Marie was part of the team tending to whatever had to be done.
In 1986, Sister Marie began a venture in patient care which continued to 2004 – 18 years. Accepting a request by the Congregation to assist a family with homecare, Marie responded to the need which continued when the person was admitted to the RK MacDonald Nursing Home. During those years at the RK, she made her quiet, unique contribution to health care.
Sister Marie was admitted to Extended Care, Bethany, March 16, 2009.
Besides her parents, Marie was predeceased by brothers, Benjamin and Clarence.
She is survived by sisters, Juanita Day, Marguerite MacIntyre, Elaine, Helen MacNeil, Mae MacLean and Rosella Steele and brothers, George, Garfield, Louis, Purvis, Daniel and Douglas. The remains will be resting at Bethany, beginning Friday, June 28, at 1:15 p.m. A Celebration of Vigil will be held on the same evening at 7:30 p.m. Liturgy of Christian burial will take place Saturday, June 29, at 2 p.m. in Bethany Chapel.
Arrangements are under the direction of MacIsaac Funeral Services, Antigonish.www.MacIsaacs.ca.
