Eleanor Grace Le Blanc

On July 3, 2026 with her loving family by her side, Eleanor Grace Le Blanc passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus. She was born on June 13, 1930 and on her 96th birthday, announced “I’m now going into my 97th year!” Her life was well lived and always with a grateful and positive attitude.

She grew up with a loving family; Herbert and Marjorie Emberly and with her only sibling Audrey Percival.

She was called to teach children and her first job offer in 1949 arrived by telegram! She moved from the big city of Vancouver to teach in a one room multi-grade schoolhouse at Mabel Lake. Her annual pay was $1500.00 with a bonus of $60.00 if she had more than 20 students! Rent was not included and a one room house was available for $10.00 a month! With anticipation she said “Yes.”

In Lumby she met her husband Charles Cleophas Joseph Le Blanc. They were married and had two children, Alan Le Blanc and Cheryl Lloyd. With two very young children, they moved to Birken. Chuck had a logging business and Grace continued to share her love of learning at another one room schoolhouse in Birken. After a few years, they settled in the Pemberton Valley.

Grace continued to bless many children and families at Signal Hill School where she taught Kindergarten for most of her working years. She taught on the gym stage with only a curtain between the noisy gym classes. Later, the district provided a portable where her students and her were in their own Kindergarten world! Late in her teaching career she was a part-time KG teacher and the school librarian.

Mom loved to travel with family and friends and enjoyed the variety of experiences and different cultures. Generous Grace planted the travel bug in both her children and grandchildren. Off they went to Hawaii, Mexico, USA and Bali. Brave Grace along with her lifelong friend Pam, took three of her grandsons (Kyle, Dylan and Todd, all under age 8) to Disneyland. Adventurous Grace along with Liz, Vivian, Normie and Kay travelled to many countries of the South East.

Mom came from a long lineage of professional tailors. She enjoyed sewing clothes, crocheting, knitting, needlepoint and cross stitch. Many received a beautiful personalized cross stitch to commemorate a special occasion like a birth or wedding.

After her retirement, she moved from Pemberton to Fernridge Park in Langley where she resided until July. Fernridge granted many wonderful friends over the years. She was very active in the community and headed up the social club, led aerobics classes, knitting groups, held birthday teas for many years and always had crafts for the kids at all family functions. She was greatly appreciated for all her marvelous baking treats and soups and luncheons!

She was very grateful to her Fernridge family over the years and especially over the past 9 months as she recovered from a broken hip at 95! With her everpresent positive outlook, she made a broken hip look like a walk in the park, doing lap after lap at Morgan Creek rehabilitation center.

She is deeply missed by her family. Son Alan and daughter Cheryl (Glenn). She sowed a multitude of wonderful memories and experiences into her granchildren’s lives. Kyle (Tracie), Dylan (Lindsay), Todd (Lindsay), Jenna (Luke), Lindsey (Hannah). Her great grandchildren were so fortunate to have her in their lives too. She loved to read, converse and do crafts with Ben, Nevaeh, Hope, Ellie-Mae, Royce, Laila, Jensen and Ronnie. Her California family often made the trek north to visit. Thank you Steven Perceval and family! Grace had many nephews and nieces in her extended family who came from afar to celebrate her 95th birthday celebration. Her many friends from her teaching years and long deep roots from the Pemberton Valley will also miss dropping in for a visit, complete with tea and cookies.

There will be a tea and celebration of life at a later date to honour the longevity and life well lived of our dear mom, Granny, Great Granny, Auntie and friend. Until we meet again, happy trails in your new chapter mom.