Marian T. LeBlanc, 85, of Palm Desert, California, and Marion, Massachusetts, passed away on Sunday, February 14, 2016. She was born in Norwood, Mass. on September 20, 1930 to the late Michael & Marian Murphy. She is survived by her beloved spouse of 59 years, Harold E. LeBlanc.
Also surviving are her brother Paul C. (Gene) Murphy; sons Robert J. (Shannon) LeBlanc; James C. (Susan) LeBlanc; Joseph J. (Keely) LeBlanc; Gerard F. (Jennifer) LeBlanc; daughter Judith (Buzz) Pankoff and eight grandchildren: Nathan, Emily, Gavin, Winter, Sedona, JP, Allison and Griffin.
Marian graduated from Bridgewater State University. She taught elementary school in Walpole, Mass. and was a substitute teacher in Marion, Mass. Always active in the Catholic community, she was a religious education director at St. Rita’s Church in Marion, Mass. for eight years, and also a lector and Eucharistic Minister to the sick. Marian volunteered at the Market Ministries soup kitchen in New Bedford, Mass., and upon moving to California, at the American Cancer Society in Palm Desert. She also volunteered for, and found joy in working with, the children at Mecca Elementary, through the “Read with Me” Ministry Reading Program sponsored by Sacred Heart Church.
Marian was a generous person who loved spending time with her family. She loved to read and play games, whether it be golf, Scrabble or Canasta. She will especially be remembered for her kind spirit.
Marian is preceded in death by her son Harold M. LeBlanc, her parents Michael & Marian Murphy, as well as her brothers John W. Murphy, Joseph G. Murphy, Francis X. Murphy and sister Mary A. O’Brien.
A funeral mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church in Palm Desert on Friday, February 26, 2016 at 9 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Marian’s name may be made to the Read with Me Volunteers Program—specifying her name and “Marian LeBlanc/ for Mecca Elementary” (readwithmevolunteers.com) or the American Cancer Society.
FitzHenry-Wiefels Palm Desert has been entrusted with arrangements.