Rutharden Beatrice Mary LeBlanc, age 72, of Amherst passed away Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre, Upper Nappan, N.S. Born in Amherst, she was a daughter of the late Mary LeBlanc. In her younger years, Rutharden attended St. Charles School and later graduated from Amherst High School. She studied at Mount St. Vincent University and pursued her career in music by studying at McGill University in Montreal where she majored in harpsicord, the Royal Conservatory Of Music in Toronto and Mount Allison Conservatory of Music in Sackville, N.B. She spent most of her life in Amherst where she taught piano, organ, voice, guitar and harpsicord. Rutharden was very well known in Amherst and surrounding area for her extraordinary gift of music. Her genius was in her ability to transpose and compose music for use by choirs and musicians. She was a brilliant accompanist and used extensively to play for weddings, funerals, school concerts and plays. Her talents were put to use by many different theatre groups including Tantramar Theatre, Showcase Productions and the Amherst Regional High School Drama Society. She was employed as organist and choir director at First Baptist Church and choir director and co-organist at Holy Family Parish in Amherst as well as funeral home organist for Campbell's Funeral Home, Amherst. She was a supply organist for a number of churches in town. She was also employed in the stock department at Canadian Tire in Amherst. Each year she coached, adjudicated and played for music students at Moncton and Sackville Music Festivals. For many years she helped Miss Ethel Loggie with her school and church choirs and concerts. Rutharden was a recipient of awards from the Moncton Music Festival, Margaret E. Wilson Memorial Scholarship, Frothingham Bursary, Alpha Omicron Pi Bursury and in 2002 she was a recipient of the Town Of Amherst Mayor's Award of Excellence. She had a passion for birds, cats and all other animals and was truely a unique individual. Rutharden is survived by her daughter Stacey of Edmonton, her granddaughter Ashley of Halifax and several cousins. She was predeceased by her husband Patrick Eugene Gould. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 15, 2008 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Campbell's Funeral Home, Amherst (667-9906). Funeral service will be held on Friday at 2 p.m. from First Baptist Church, Amherst with Rev. Byron Corkum officiating. Interment will follow in the St. Charles-Nativity Cemetery, Amherst.Donations in Rutharden's memory may be made to the L.A. Animal Shelter or charity of your choice. www.campbells-amherst.ca