Rita Leblanc
Rita Leblanc died peacefully, on December 25, 2022, at the age of 89, at Lachine Hospital, following a brief decline in health.
Rita leaves to mourn her companion sister in religion, Mariette Cappuccilli, her brother Richard, Brother Christian, of the Trappist Monastery, Kentucky, her nephews and nieces Gary A. DeFillipo and his wife Karen, Larry J. DeFillipo and his wife Deborah, Timothy J. DeFillipo and his wife Bobbie Jo, David M. DeFillipo, Debra J. Verrell and her husband Michael, Karen Cormier and her husband Tom Odgers, all of Lynn, Linda M. Scally and her husband Dave, of Georgetown, and Mark Cormier of New Hampshire, many grandnieces and grandnephews and great grandnieces and great grandnephews extended family and friends.
Rita was born in Lynn Massachusetts, the daughter of the late Frederick and Alice (Roy) Leblanc. She was pre-deceased by her three sisters: Irene, Eva and Jean, her brother Walter (Sonny) and nephews Michael Cormier and. Mark DeFillipo.
In 1976, Rita was a founding member of the Institute for Christian Communities (ICC), an Association of the Faithful in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Montreal, and was a former member of the Sisters of St. Anne (Sr. Alice Marie), from 1950-1976.
Rita completed her elementary and high school education at in Lynn and obtained her high school diploma from St. Jean Baptiste Parish School. She held a diploma in education from Saint Joseph Teacher's College, a Master’s degree in psychology from Ottawa U, Ottawa, and a Master's degree in Theology from St. Bonaventure U, NY. Rita spent her early professional years teaching in Montreal and surrounding areas.
From 1966 to1969, she was the Assistant to the Director at the Canadian Centre for Ecumenism, Montreal. From 1972 to 1987, she served as Clinical Psychologist on the Mohawk Indian Reservation of Kahnawake and continues to maintain a strong bond of friendship with that community. From 1987 to1990, she was a member of the Executive Board for MORA (Montreal//Ottawa Regional Association for the Spiritual Exercises Apostolate).
From 1988 to1990, she was the Spiritual Coordinator of the Christian Training Program, Archdiocese of Montreal. From 1990 to 1993, she was the Associate Director of the Canadian Centre for Ecumenism responsible for the Interfaith Department. From the fall of 1993 to 2001, she remained part time on staff in the Interfaith Department, with a particular interest in relations with First Nations People.
During the past several years Rita has served as a spiritual director and facilitator of a variety of programs in sacred scripture and in Ignatian spirituality. She was also a long-standing member of the Christian-Jewish Dialogue (1990 to 2003) of Montreal and was one of the founding members of the Muslim and Christian Women in Dialogue, which was active from 1993 to 1998.
From 2000 to 2008, she was a member of the Board of Directors of Queen of Angels Academy.
As Spiritual Program Director and Animator of the Institute for Christian Communities, Rita offered a variety of programs in Ignatian Spirituality and Sacred Scripture: e.g., study sessions, seminars, spiritual direction, retreats, and workshops.
She will be greatly missed, but always remembered for her love of life, her smile, her sense of humor, her genuine goodness and generosity.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke or to a charity of your choice.
Family will receive relatives and friends at Urgel Bourgie funeral Home, 1275 Dollard Ave, Lasalle, QC on Sunday, January 22nd, from 2 to 5. On Monday January 23rd visitation will take place at St. Veronica's Church, 1300 Carson Ave, Dorval, Quebec from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 am before the funeral Mass at 11:30 which will be followed by burial in Lachine Catholic Cemetery.
Rita leaves to mourn her companion sister in religion, Mariette Cappuccilli, her brother Richard, Brother Christian, of the Trappist Monastery, Kentucky, her nephews and nieces Gary A. DeFillipo and his wife Karen, Larry J. DeFillipo and his wife Deborah, Timothy J. DeFillipo and his wife Bobbie Jo, David M. DeFillipo, Debra J. Verrell and her husband Michael, Karen Cormier and her husband Tom Odgers, all of Lynn, Linda M. Scally and her husband Dave, of Georgetown, and Mark Cormier of New Hampshire, many grandnieces and grandnephews and great grandnieces and great grandnephews extended family and friends.
Rita was born in Lynn Massachusetts, the daughter of the late Frederick and Alice (Roy) Leblanc. She was pre-deceased by her three sisters: Irene, Eva and Jean, her brother Walter (Sonny) and nephews Michael Cormier and. Mark DeFillipo.
In 1976, Rita was a founding member of the Institute for Christian Communities (ICC), an Association of the Faithful in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Montreal, and was a former member of the Sisters of St. Anne (Sr. Alice Marie), from 1950-1976.
Rita completed her elementary and high school education at in Lynn and obtained her high school diploma from St. Jean Baptiste Parish School. She held a diploma in education from Saint Joseph Teacher's College, a Master’s degree in psychology from Ottawa U, Ottawa, and a Master's degree in Theology from St. Bonaventure U, NY. Rita spent her early professional years teaching in Montreal and surrounding areas.
From 1966 to1969, she was the Assistant to the Director at the Canadian Centre for Ecumenism, Montreal. From 1972 to 1987, she served as Clinical Psychologist on the Mohawk Indian Reservation of Kahnawake and continues to maintain a strong bond of friendship with that community. From 1987 to1990, she was a member of the Executive Board for MORA (Montreal//Ottawa Regional Association for the Spiritual Exercises Apostolate).
From 1988 to1990, she was the Spiritual Coordinator of the Christian Training Program, Archdiocese of Montreal. From 1990 to 1993, she was the Associate Director of the Canadian Centre for Ecumenism responsible for the Interfaith Department. From the fall of 1993 to 2001, she remained part time on staff in the Interfaith Department, with a particular interest in relations with First Nations People.
During the past several years Rita has served as a spiritual director and facilitator of a variety of programs in sacred scripture and in Ignatian spirituality. She was also a long-standing member of the Christian-Jewish Dialogue (1990 to 2003) of Montreal and was one of the founding members of the Muslim and Christian Women in Dialogue, which was active from 1993 to 1998.
From 2000 to 2008, she was a member of the Board of Directors of Queen of Angels Academy.
As Spiritual Program Director and Animator of the Institute for Christian Communities, Rita offered a variety of programs in Ignatian Spirituality and Sacred Scripture: e.g., study sessions, seminars, spiritual direction, retreats, and workshops.
She will be greatly missed, but always remembered for her love of life, her smile, her sense of humor, her genuine goodness and generosity.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke or to a charity of your choice.
Family will receive relatives and friends at Urgel Bourgie funeral Home, 1275 Dollard Ave, Lasalle, QC on Sunday, January 22nd, from 2 to 5. On Monday January 23rd visitation will take place at St. Veronica's Church, 1300 Carson Ave, Dorval, Quebec from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 am before the funeral Mass at 11:30 which will be followed by burial in Lachine Catholic Cemetery.