Liliane F Le Breton

In the evening of Jan 7, 2025, Liliane LeBreton entered into God’s heavenly peace and eternal light. She was born October 27, 1939 in Chatou, France, a suburb of Paris, and grew up during the Nazi occupation. Her father, Francois, started her earliest days of service to others by placing French Resistance information inside her carriage and walking past Nazi guards. She saw many nuns who had been rescued by the Resistance. Her home was often filled with well-known American generals and soldiers, and she developed a deep love for all Americans and for serving others.

She attended parochial school in Chatou where at age 6 she was given the 1st prize of tenacity, a prize she held her entire life. At age 15, Liliane was handed down the title of Madelon of France, mascot of WWI soldiers. Her life of service and respect for others continued to grow as she placed wreathes on the graves of WWI vets throughout France and Belgium and led military parades carrying the French flag.

A life of diplomacy followed, working in London, at the World Bank in Paris, the Canadian Embassy in Chicago and the World Bank in Washington, D.C, working in the African division. Her years of diplomacy included several trips to different African countries, allowing her to continue serving other, feeding starving African children though gates and traveling into the villages to give children clothing she had carried from America.

Her life of giving to others continued through her many musical abilities: a Parisian first prize accordionist, chorale director at the World Bank in Paris, and church organist in Sarasota, FL. Her talents and gift to make others laugh were shared and loved by all.

Liliane leaves behind several nieces and cousins in France, Brent Meneely Van Deysen and Jason Meneely whom she called her sons, and many unnamed friends.

A funeral service for Liliane will be held Friday, January 17, 2025 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at Incarnation Catholic Church, 2901 Bee Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL 34239. Following the funeral service will be a graveside service from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Robert Toale and Sons Funeral Home at Palms Memorial Park, 170 Honore Ave, Sarasota, FL 34232.

To give honor to the memory of Liliane, please reach out to the needy, the poor, the broken, bring a smile or a laugh to everyone you meet. For as Jesus said: In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matthew 25:37-40)