Obituary of Joan Abbie Leger

It is with the saddest of hearts the we announce the sudden passing of Joan Abbie (Reid) Leger, wife of the late Paul A Leger, on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at York Care Centre, Fredericton, NB.

Born on October 16, 1940 in Knoxford NB, Joan graduated from Centerville Regional High School. Her love for learning and incredible intelligence shone through when she decided to write her math matriculation exam, despite not taking math as a subject, and scored a perfect 100%.

After graduating from Teachers College and working as a teacher for a few years, Joan quickly realized it was much more fun, and much less stress, to work at the bank and began working at the Bank of Montreal in Fredericton. It was in Fredericton that Joan met Paul at a dance at Newman Hall. Paul quickly realized the gem he had found and they were married a year later, on December 28, 1963.

Following their marriage, Joan and Paul moved to Petawawa for Paul’s ROTP commitment. Upon completion, they moved back to New Brunswick, eventually settling in Fredericton and building their dream house on Epworth Circle, where they would create an amazing life for the next 53 years.

Joan centred her life around love: a love of her family, a love of her friends and a love of her faith.

Joan thrived in making their house a home filled with love. With a quiet grace and unwavering composure, she raised her children in a way that never led them to question her love for them, even when, on the rare occasion, discipline was required. Hanging in the kitchen for many years was one of Joan’s best known pearls of wisdom that she gave to her children :

“Kwitchurbelyakin”.

Joan welcomed her children’s friends with open arms, treating them like one of her own with love, an ear and even a growling when needed, making their house the place everyone wanted to be. Joan’s own friends were equally a big part of her life, especially her longstanding “Tuesday Night” bridge table and her dear friend Wilma, with whom she shared many an adventure and many a cup of tea. As Joan once wrote in a diary “Friendship is a relationship requiring special effort.”

Once her children had grown, Joan decided it was time to reignite that early love of numbers and learning and went back to work at the Bank of Nova Scotia on Main Street, retiring in 1996. Her gentle leadership and mentorship combined with unwavering support allowed some co-workers to realize and recognize their full life potential, a common outcome for those who knew Joan well.

Ever devout in her faith, Joan was involved in every aspect of her church, St Theresa’s, whether as a longtime member of the Catholic Women’s League, a member of Parish Council, teaching catechism, running the canteen for bingo or heading up the annual church yard sale. She maintained that faith right to the end. “We grow better as we grow more like our Maker.”

Preceded by her much-loved husband Paul in December 2022, Joan is survived by her three children, Robert (Wendy) Leger, Stephen Leger (Kim Bustin) and Joanne (Tim) LeBlanc. Her six grandchildren will forever treasure the love she showed them: Samantha Leger (Paulo Israel), Danny Leger, Emma Leger, Will Leger (Erika Hallden), Abbie LeBlanc and Jamie LeBlanc (Geneva Noppers). Joan also leaves her much adored siblings, twin sister, Jeanne Culberson (Harold) and brother, Beverly Reid (late Margaret), special in-laws, Florence Leger and Dianne (Ovila) Bourgeois and several nieces, nephews. She was predeceased by her brother Ward Reid (April) and baby sister Frances.

“My Promise to You…

I’ll be here when you want me to…

I’ll be here when you need me…

I’ll be here when you miss me…

Let me be here to love you, to help make life a ‘little less difficult’…”

Visitation will be held on Monday, January 22, 2024 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at York Funeral Home, 302 Brookside Drive, Fredericton, NB. A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at 2pm at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, 1 William Street, Fredericton, NB with Father Maria Arokiam Chinnappan officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family would request donations be made to Hospice House Fredericton or a charity of choice. Personal condolences may be offered through www.yorkfh.com