Freda Marie LeBlanc

Mrs. Freda Decareaux LeBlanc, 83, a native of Gramercy, LA and resident of New Orleans for the past 65 years, passed away peacefully in her home in the Azaleas at Woldenberg on June 19, 2010. Daughter of the late Theodule Decareaux and Carmen Bienvenu Decareaux, Mrs. LeBlanc spent her early years, as the Times-Picayune put it, “amphibious[ly],” developing a swimming career that would lead to several AAU records in 100-meter and 220-meter backstroke, making her the leading amateur swimmer in the South. At the same time she was clocking miles in the pool, Mrs. LeBlanc racked up another 8,000 miles on foot, walking 4 miles to and from school each day, never missing a single one in eleven years. After graduating from Lutcher High School, she attended LSU on a swimming scholarship, and was on her way to a championship college career before deciding to experience life in “the city” and move to New Orleans to live and work. There she met Ashton J. LeBlanc, whom she married in 1947. Mrs. LeBlanc was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend who throughout her life inspired others with the quiet determination, perseverance, patience, strength, and generosity of spirit with which she lived. She was a dedicated homemaker and a devout Catholic. A parishioner of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish for 45 years, she was active in church and school activities while her children attended St. Andrew School. An avid Saints fan who had attended games through thick and thin since the inception of the team, Mrs. LeBlanc finally got a little preview of heaven this year when she was able to cheer the Saints to victory in the Super Bowl. In addition to her parents, Mrs. LeBlanc was preceded in death by her husband Ashton; her daughter Patricia LeBlanc Trahan; her son Ashton J. (“Manny”) LeBlanc; her sisters, Florence Decareaux Bossier, Roberta Decareaux Clement, and Dot Sons. She is survived by three daughters, Sue LeBlanc Ferrer, Janet LeBlanc Domino, and Beth LeBlanc, as well as her brother Cesir Decareaux. She leaves behind to cherish her memory eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. Also mourning her loss are sons-in-law Jorge Ferrer and Mike Domino, daughter-in-law Ann Hastings LeBlanc, close family friend Susan Krantz, and former son-in-law Beal Trahan, Jr. We especially wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to Mama’s extended family at the Azaleas, who loved and helped care for her, as well as to Mrs. Delores Trimble, who was a blessing to us in Mama’s final days. A funeral Mass will be held at Jacob Schoen & Sons on Canal St. on Wednesday, June 23. Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., when the Mass will take place. Interment will be in St. Louis Cemetery #3 on Esplanade Avenue.