Mignonne (LeCours) LeBlanc, 91, died Feb. 18, 2021, in Cape Canaveral, Fla., surrounded by family.
The oldest of 13 children, Mignonne was born to Violette and Anselme LeCours on July 3, 1929, in Hardwick. She grew up on the family’s dairy farm. As the oldest child in a large family, Mignonne took on great responsibility from a young age, helping to care for her younger siblings.
She had a lifelong love of learning, which she credited to the French nuns who ran the schools she attended as a child. As a young woman, her strong sense of faith and service led her to serve as organist at St. Norbert’s Catholic Church in Hardwick, as president of the St. Norbert’s Catholic youth organization and entertainment coordinator for her local Catholic Daughters of the Americas chapter.
Mignonne married Vincent (Bob) LeBlanc on May 21, 1955, at St. Norbert’s Church. As newlyweds, Mignonne and Bob settled in Purchase, N.Y., where they raised six children. Upon retiring, they resided in West Harrison, N.Y.
Throughout her life Mignonne was known for her spiritual strength and love of life. She was devoted to her family, her parish and her community. Mignonne served many terms as president of the Ave Maria Guild at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in West Harrison, where she also served as a lector and extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. She volunteered countless hours and provided support to her husband’s ministry as deacon at St. Anthony of Padua.
Growing up in a close-knit and musical family, singing together was a way of life. Mignonne passed this tradition down to her own children. Mignonne was an avid reader, a progressive thinker and loved to travel. Her most cherished trip was her pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2011 where she walked the Way of the Cross.
Her pride and joy were her 18 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. All took great delight in a special relationship with Memere.
At her West Harrison home, Mignonne enjoyed watching the abundant wildlife outside her patio window. She appreciated the beauty and blessings of her flower garden. She loved having a friendly chat with a neighbor or sharing a cup of tea with family and friends. In her later years, she took every opportunity to hone her bingo skills, which according to friends were exceptional.
Mignonne is survived by her six children, Daniel LeBlanc, Nicole (Charles) Decker, Claire (David) Kapusta, Michele (Leon) LeBlanc, Monique (Mark) Miculcy, and Elisabeth (Adam) Emerson; 18 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and siblings and their spouses, Robert, Lawrence (Anita), Leo (Bonnie), Annette Miller (Donald), Jacqueline Borges (Robert), Diane Fournier (Emile), Paulette Bessette (Richard), Dan, Michael (Leslie O’Neil).
She also leaves behind her sister-in-law, Denise Hark; and many nieces and nephews. Mignonne was predeceased by her parents; her brothers, Denis, Roger and Richard; as well as her sisters-in-law, Madeleine LeCours, Gail LeCours and Patricia LeCours.
A private funeral service will be held at the Church of Our Saviour in Cocoa Beach, Fla. Mignonne will be buried in Hardwick under direction of the des Groseilliers Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Anthony of Padua Church, 85 Harrison Street, West Harrison, NY 10604.
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