Lillian (L’Heureux) LeBlanc passed away on May 5, 2022 at The Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, Massachusetts, surrounded by her loving family. Lillian had an enormous heart and a gentle, generous spirit. She expertly managed the organizational challenges of catering to the needs of a very large household, including a husband, nine children, and an annual influx of college students, while always making time to lovingly care for and comfort each of her children individually. She encouraged her children to set their minds to achieve whatever they wanted to accomplish. She was the quiet strength of the family.
Lillian was born in Boston, Massachusetts on May 16, 1929 to Louis A. L’Heureux and Adrienne Prescott. She was raised and educated in Salem Massachusetts and resided there for most of her life.She also lived in Jupiter, Florida and Ipswich, Massachusetts during some of her retirement years. She graduated high school from Ste. Chretienne Academy where she studied, played basketball, and made lifelong friends.
Lillian met, and after a courtship, married Robert J. LeBlanc, also of Salem, in 1949. Thereafter, they filled their home with nine children. Lillian and Robert were dedicated to each other throughout their marriage of 63 years, continuing their romance as they aged and as their children left home. They remained sweethearts until Robert’s death in 2012.
Lillian loved traveling and especially enjoyed her trip to Hawaii, and also to Montreal for the World’s Fair. She also enjoyed reading, walking, music, listening to birds sing , and most of all spending time with those she loved – her husband, children, grandchildren, friends and eventually her great grandchildren. Adventurous in her own quiet way, Lillian enjoyed visiting new places and once described the fun of being lost on the subway in Montreal. For nearly twenty years, she welcomed students from Salem State College (now University) into her home – cooking, befriending, and organizing the household, an entrepreneur ahead of her time.
At the age of 49, when her youngest children were grown, Lillian went to work as a nurse’s aide at Shaughnessy Rehabilitation Hospital in Salem, fulfilling a lifelong dream of caring for patients. Lillian was always hardworking, and was a strong, charitable and compassionate role model for her children. She will remain forever in our hearts.
She is survived by eight of her children and their spouses: Suzanne M. LeBlanc of Long Beach NY, Janet M. Dooley of Huntington Beach, CA, Robert J. LeBlanc, Jr. and wife Claire of Naples, FL, Anne M. Ouellette and husband Richard of Jupiter, FL, Elizabeth M. Ouellette and Husband Gerard of Ipswich, Theresa M. Andrews and husband Steven of Glenburn, ME, , James G. LeBlanc and wife Loren of Beverly, Richard L. LeBlanc and wife Janet of Salem. Lillian is also survived by her sister Doris Riendeau of Taunton, her grandchildren; Tara Louviere- Cowen, Jasmine Richardson, Monique Pizzedaz, Sean Ouellette, Keith Ouellette, Ryan Ouellette, Heather LeBlanc Burleson, Scott Ouellette, Craig Ouellette, Lindsey Berzins, Danielle Tower, Joshua Andrews, Renee Waravdekar, Riley Lutts, Timothy LeBlanc, Kayla LeBlanc and Kristina LeBlanc, and great-grandchildren; Aimee, Levi, Scarlett, Parker, Skylar, Jacob, Ellie, Brayden, Grant, Hayden, Chance, Alexander, Kylan, Olivia, Bennett, Tyler, Hunter, Lila, Dominic, Jada, Brooke, Brady, Evan, Charlotte, Jace and Brielle as well as many nieces and nephews, cousins, and in-laws. She was predeceased by her husband Robert J. LeBlanc and her son John R. LeBlanc.
Relatives and friends are invited to her calling hours at the Levesque Funeral Home, 163 Lafayette St. [Route 114 / 1-A] Salem on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M.
Her Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, May 11th at 11:00 in Ste. Anne Church, 290 Jefferson Ave., Salem. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, Salem. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a memorial contribution to Care Dimensions, (Hospice) 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923. To send a message of sympathy and support to her family, please visit www.LevesqueFunerals.com