Audrey Bruce LeBlanc

Our beautiful, beloved, life of the party Mom, Audrey June Bruce LeBlanc, was born in Melbourne, Australia on January 5, 1927, to William John Bruce and Ruby Rose Lavers of Victoria, Australia, and she departed this life on Thursday, February 22, 2024. She taught us all how to live: accepting of all, always finding the best in everyone and loving unconditionally. She left this world a better place and we will miss her terribly, but know that she is dancing with Daddy and her many departed family and friends, happy, laughing, and free of all pain.

Audrey met young Marine, Milton LeBlanc, in her hometown of Melbourne, Australia, during WWII, when he had malaria and was sent to Melbourne for R&R. After the war, they were married and then sailed to New Orleans in 1953 by steamer with two daughters, Wendy and Peta Anne. Three daughters, Susan, Jan and Erin, were later born in New Orleans, and Audrey immersed herself in the city’s culture and celebratory spirit. The LeBlanc family welcomed her with open arms and she loved them dearly.

She considered her five girls her GOLD, and supported each one of us in being our best selves and loved us unconditionally – she was our champion cheerleader.

She deeply loved her grandchildren, Jessica, Meghan and Justin, and great grandchildren, Kate Avery, Walker, Sawyer, Ford, Colette and Charlotte, and it made her day when they came to visit

She worked for many years as a stellar salesperson in retail and then retired so she and Dad could travel and enjoy their families. Her great loves were her family, garage sales and flea markets, and traveling around the world. She will be greatly missed by everyone who met her.

Her bright smile and deeply generous spirit fed everyone in her path – no one was a stranger to Mom – you were instant family. She deeply loved her precious Australia and treasured her visits back to visit family and friends.

Thank you, Mom, for bringing life to life every moment of your day - as the Beatles said “And in the End the Love you take is equal to the Love you Make”.

Audrey is preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Milton Joseph LeBlanc.

She is survived by her daughters, Wendy LeBlanc-Arbuckle (Michael Arbuckle), Peta LeBlanc, Susan LeBlanc Dill (William Dill III), Jan LeBlanc Cranner (Bruce Cranner) and Erin LeBlanc; her grandchildren, Jessica Ditch (David Ditch), Meghan Januszek (Jeff Januszek) and Justin Knight; her great-grandchildren, Kate Avery Ditch, Walker Ditch, Sawyer Ditch, Ford Januszek, Charlotte Januszek and Colette Januszek.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd in New Orleans, on Friday, March 1, 2024 at 9am. A Catholic Funeral Service will follow at 11am.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, please donate to your local food bank. This would please Mom, as she volunteered for several decades at the Gretna food bank.