We, Ann, Mark and Robert, are sad to announce that our Mom, Constance “Connie” LeBlanc, passed away on Monday, January 17, 2022, at the Chaleur Regional Hospital, Bathurst.
Mom, Constance Ann Young was born to Ernest Young and Loretta (Hachey) and had 8 siblings, 5 brothers and 3 sisters. At the age of 2 her biological mother died, and Mom went to live with, and was eventually adopted by, Francis (“Bee”) Veniot and his wife Francetta (Thibodeau). She was raised by Bee and Francetta along with their own 2 children, Kathryn (Sis) David and Bernard (Sonny) Veniot. Mom spoke fondly about her “2” families… the Youngs and the Veniots.
Mom loved to sing and at age 6 she joined the Sacred Heart Cathedral Choir. Years later, while attending Mount Saint Vincent, mom took the Toronto Conservatory singing exams. She sang in choirs most of her life, mostly in the Holy Family Church choir.
Mom attended high school at Mount Saint Vincent in Hallifax and returned to Bathurst to take a commercial course at Sacred Heart Academy. After finishing school, she worked at the Woodlands division of the Bathurst Power and Paper Mill.
After meeting our dad (Eugene “Gene” LeBlanc from Moncton) they were married in 1959. They lived in Moncton for a year then moved back to Bathurst. Mom and Dad lived in several houses during their married lives, and we always had a comfortable, family home. Mom was a stay-at-home mom for 18 years. During those years she was involved with the Holy Family church and was a member of the Catholic Woman’s League (C.W.L.) for more than sixty years. She started the CWL council at the Notre-Dame-du Rosaire church and was the charter President.
During the last several years of mom’s working life, she worked for Employment & Immigration Canada.
She loved cooking and was well known for her delicious scotch cakes! Mom loved the beach and although she never learned to swim, she spent a lot of time at the Veniot cottage. In later years, she and several of her childhood friends, with whom she kept in touch, would rent a cottage at Youghall Beach almost every summer. There was lots of laughter, card playing, reminiscing, and sunbathing.
For the last 7 years mom absolutely loved living in her apartment at the Royal Residence, where she enjoyed the beautiful views of Chaleur Bay, lots of activities (Mom was very social) and the company of both old and new friends that she made. They were her lifeline, while the 3 of us children lived away. She was proud of the choir that she formed at The Royal and well as the group of “kazoo” girls.
Mom was very strong in her faith and believed that God would take care of her.
Connie was the proud mother of Ann (Malcolm Graham) of Almonte, ON, Mark (Lorraine Chartrand) of Ottawa, ON and Robert of Whistler, BC
Mom is survived by 5 sisters (Laurie, Peggy, Marie, Murielle and Doris) as well as 1 brother (Stephen)
She was predeceased by her biological parents (Ernest & Loretta Young) and 5 brothers (John Aurele, Gerald (Jeff), Eric, Ray and Maurice) as well as her adoptive parents (Bee and Francetta Veniot) and her brother Sonny and sister Cis. She was also predeceased by her former spouse Gene LeBlanc.
Although Mom only spent 3 days in palliative care the nurses and doctors were very compassionate and caring. We thank them for making Mom’s final days comfortable.
Funeral service and celebration of mom’s life will be held from the banquet room of the Best Western Hotel in Bathurst on Friday July 22, 2022, at 2 p.m. Donations in mom’s memory may be made to the Holy Family Church or a charity of the donor’s choice. Arrangements are in the care of Elhatton’s Funeral Home (www.elhatton.com)
