SHIRLEY REGINA LEBLANC

Funeral service for the late Shirley Regina LeBlanc, 89, Florence, Cape Breton, was held August 15 in Holy Family Church, with Father Jim Oliver officiating. Burial was in St. Stephen’s Cemetery, Florence.

 Mrs. LeBlanc died August 13, 2019, after a brief illness.

Readers at the funeral Mass were Odilia MacDonald and Lynn MacLean. Her grandchildren presented the offertory gifts. Music was provided by Holy Family Choir with soloist Rick Gunn.

Pallbearers were Alexander LeBlanc, David LeBlanc, Sandy LeBlanc, Harvey LeBlanc, Robbie Levatte and Ernie Anderson.

Born October 31, 1929, in Florence, she was a daughter of the late Bernard ‘Bud’ and Gladys (MacIntyre) Penny. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. In earlier years, she was employed at Bert Coakley’s Store at Florence Corner, where she met Ben LeBlanc. After they married, she worked at Smith’s Jewellers in Sydney Mines. After having their first child, she decided to be a stay-at-home mother. She was a founding member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 83 Sunday night mixed dart league. First and foremost, she and her husband were shining examples of true Cape Breton hospitality. Many people visited (and stayed), and no one left hungry.

She is survived by six children, Rene (Marilyn), Digby; Shaunna, Brett, both of Florence; Michele, Groves Point; Penni (Paul), Corey,  both of Antigonish; six grandchildren, Lindsay (Ryan), Lee Ann, Molly (Jason), Sam, Toni Jean, Sara; great-grandson, Jax; special brother-in-law, Purvis LeBlanc; neighbours and friends, George and Shirley Ann Snow.

She was predeceased by her husband, Ben; grandson, Roddie; two sisters, Pearl, Gladys.

Memorial donations in Shirley’s memory may be made to the Roddie Gillis Memorial Scholarship Fund at Memorial High School, Sydney Mines.

Online condolences: www.jmjobesfuneralhome.com