Shirley Regina Leblanc

LeBLANC, Shirley Regina Florence With broken hearts, we, the family of Shirley LeBlanc, 89, announce the passing of a devoted and loving mother and grandmother, on Tuesday, August 13, 2019, after a brief illness. Born in Florence on October 31, 1929, Shirley was a daughter of the late Bernard ‘Bud’ and Gladys (MacIntyre) Penny. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. In earlier years, Shirley was employed at Bert Coakley’s Store at Florence Corner, where she met the love of her life, Ben. After they married, she worked at Smith’s Jewellers in Sydney Mines. After having their first child Rene, she decided to be a stay-at-home Mother. Shirley was a founding member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 83 Sunday night mixed dart league. First and foremost, she and Da were shining examples of true Cape Breton hospitality. Many people visited (and stayed), and no one left hungry. Shirley is survived by her six children, Rene (Marilyn), Digby, Shaunna, Florence, Brett, Florence, Michele, Groves Point, Penni (Paul), Antigonish and Corey, Antigonish; six grandchildren, Lindsay (Ryan), Lee Ann, Molly (Jason), Sam, Toni Jean and Sara, and great-grandson, Jax. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Ben; grandson, Roddie, and sisters, Pearl and Gladys. A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Michel and Louise McKeough for their dedicated and quality care to Ma; Linda Bork and the staff of Capital Drugs for their support and professionalism. Also, special thanks for the incredible care she received from the nurses and doctors at the Northside General and Cape Breton Regional hospitals, along with the services of EHS paramedics, during her recent illness. Special love and gratitude to her brother-in-law Purvis LeBlanc, who was like a brother to her; next door neighbours and friends, George and Shirley Snow, who were family. There will be no visitation. The Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, August 15, 2019, at 2 p.m. in Holy Family Church, with Fr. Jim Oliver officiating. The burial will be in St. Stephen’s Cemetery, Florence. Memorial donations in Shirley’s memory may be made to the Roddie Gillis Memorial Scholarship Fund at Memorial High School, Sydney Mines. Words of comfort may be forwarded to her family at www.jmjobesfuneralhome.com.