Mary E. Leblanc

Mary died peacefully in the early morning of Sunday, August 29, 2021 in the palliative ward of Saanich Peninsula Hospital. Born November 14, 1954 in Palo Alto, California, United States, she moved with her family to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and then immigrated to Canada in 1966 where the family settled in Ancaster and then Hamilton, Ontario.

Mary excelled in creative endeavors as a youth. As a teen, she sewed outfits for herself and her sister, carefully choosing the patterns and fabric to suit her particular vision. Mary had a strong sense of style from an early age. She also enjoyed drawing, painting and sculpting. She loved the pop music of her era - posters of the Beatles adorned her bedroom, and she knew all the lyrics to many Bob Dylan songs. Mary was also active and athletic - a formidable sprinter. As a young teen, she made a life long friend in Denise who lived on the same block of her childhood home in Ancaster.

She attended St. Mary's University in Halifax and the University of Toronto where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in 1977. She studied Philosophy, Anthropology and Linguistics. These subjects remained strong interests for her throughout her life. Later she obtained her TESL Certificate at UBC and tutored EAL for many years.

After completing university, Mary moved west and joined brother Patrick in Vancouver. She was active in a vibrant artist community and worked in a graphic design and publishing house. She later moved to Victoria, and in 1984 met the vivacious force of nature that was Eric Stephen Leblanc. He became the love of her life. They initially bonded over the mutual love of a Little Richard album. After dating for 2 years, they married in October 1986 in her mother Bess's backyard. A small gathering of family and close friends celebrated the union on a glorious, sun filled day. It was evident to all how much love Eric and Mary had for one another - a couple who were destined to be together. They had a happy marriage of almost 30 years. Together they faced challenges and experienced joy. They took care of Mary's mother Bess for years as she declined when elder, and they embraced Eric's mother Madeline when she came from Montreal to live in Victoria. When Eric passed in September, 2015, it was a devastating loss for Mary.

Mary, Eric, and their stalwart terrier Baxter, made a happy home for themselves in Cadboro Bay, Saanich. Many of the neighbours Mary and Eric met on Alpine Crescent became close friends. Mary walked Baxter daily with David and Evelyn, learned knitting from Mary Howard, and relied on the counsel of Charles, James, Mark and Wendy. She even joined neighbour James Robertson as an apprentice and learned how to be a marine corrosion protection technician. She loved the science and chemistry involved in her training and the opportunity to travel to interesting and remote places on Vancouver Island.

Mary was also a caring and empathetic healer. She was a graduate of the Canadian College of Acupressure trained in the Five Element system of acupressure and had her own studio, Queenswood Accupressure.

Mary is survived by her cherished nephews, Desmond, Will, Vincent and Brendan, her nieces Nora, Iris and Brigid, her sisters-in-law Marusha, Renee and Su, and great nephews Vincent, Luca, Ted, Mason and great niece Zoey. She also leaves behind siblings Vincent, Liam, Thomas and Nora. Eldest brother Patrick pre-deceased her.

We would like to extend our gratitude to the wonderful caregivers, medical staff, therapists and counsellors at Saanich Penisula Extended Care and the palliative team that assisted with such integrity and care in the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Palliative Care Unit.