Gloria R. LeBlanc

Gloria R. (Fournier) LeBlanc, 82, of Gardner, MA passed away peacefully to be with her Lord, surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, October 7, 2018.  Gloria was the beloved wife of Roland LeBlanc with whom she recently celebrated 60 years of marriage.  Born on December 14, 1935 in Gardner, MA, she was the youngest of three children of the late Benoit and Leona (Voisine) Fournier.

Gloria was raised and educated in Gardner, MA, a place she loved dearly.  Throughout her high school years she worked at Priscilla’s Candy Shop.  Gloria was a proud graduate of the Gardner High School Class of 1954.  After graduation, she kept in touch with many of her classmates and played an active role in organizing many class reunions. She married Roland on September 20, 1958 at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church (now Annunciation Parish) in Gardner.  Gloria started her career at the Gardner Trust Company.  While raising her family, she worked at her parish rectory and at Worcester County National Bank and then at Shawmut Bank as a teller.  Gloria retired at age 55 when her husband retired from the Post Office.

In retirement, Gloria was always on the go, doing those things that she enjoyed the most.  She will be best remembered for spending free time with her family, volunteering, and travelling.  Her daughters will forever be grateful to her for instilling in them the importance of family and faith.  Gloria loved her grandchildren dearly and took every opportunity to spend time with them and attend their sporting events, plays, recitals, and graduations.  She looked forward to any family gathering, especially the 30 years of Fournier Family Reunions.   In retirement, Roland and Gloria visited Alaska, Hawaii, Europe, and cruised many Caribbean Islands.  Gloria was an avid reader.  Countless family summers were spent at Cape Cod or Hampton Beach where she would sit for hours under the umbrella absorbed in her latest novel.

Gloria’s commitment to her faith and community was best demonstrated in her desire to help others by volunteering.  Gloria was very active in her church and served as a Minister of the Word and Eucharistic Minister.  With Roland, she brought communion to the homebound for many years.  She loved attending the annual church Bazaar and generously volunteered her time for many years.  Gloria also served as President of the Holy Rosary Saint Anne Society for 13 years and was a division leader of the Mother Rivier Perpetual Adoration Chapel.  She also served as Secretary of the Catholic Women’s Club. 

In the community, Gloria volunteered at Eastwood Pines Nursing Home where she established a rosary and communion service for the residents.  She was an active member and served as Chaplain of the Gardner AARP.  She also volunteered at the Cardiac Rehab Department at Heywood Hospital and was Treasurer of the Gardner Heart Fund for many years.

She is survived by her husband Roland; and her four daughters Cynthia LeBlanc, Donna Belle-Isle and husband Joseph, Catherine Newton and husband Ted all of Gardner, MA and Pamela Wall and husband Robert of Medfield, MA.  She was also the beloved grandmother to Kristen Belle-Isle of Washington, D.C., Matthew Belle-Isle and wife Rebecca of Austin, TX, Michael and Amelia Newton of Gardner, MA and Julia Wall of Medfield, MA.  She is survived by many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.  Gloria was predeceased by her brother Raymond Fournier and sister Loretta Lorion. 

A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, October 13th from the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner with a Mass at 11:00 a.m. in Annunciation Parish/Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols St., Gardner, MA.   Interment will immediately follow at Notre Dame Cemetery, West Street, Gardner.

Calling hours will be held Friday, October 12th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Boucher Funeral Home, 110 Nichols St. Gardner, MA.

 In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Annunciation Parish or Holy Family Academy both of 135 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA 01440, or Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), 5817 Old Leeds Road, Irondale, AL 35210. Please reference in memory of Gloria R. LeBlanc.

The family would also like to thank all the hospice nurses and caregivers who lovingly supported Gloria during her brief illness.