Mary R. LeBlanc (Van Vels), 81, passed away in Traverse City, MI on December 20, 2023. She was deeply comforted and cared for by her family. Mary was born December 22, 1941 to the late Louis and Jacoba (Punt) Van Vels in Grand Rapids, MI.
She was a 1961 graduate of Unity Christian High School. She went on to earn her B.A. at Calvin College in 1965. After college Mary moved to Detroit. She worked over three decades for the State of Michigan in the Department of Social Services. She married James Lewis LeBlanc on September 4, 1971. They were blessed with the birth of their daughter Alicia in 1974 and Kristin in 1977. Pecol Green joined the family at the age of 12 in 1995. The family belonged to the Westminster Presbyterian Church of Detroit where both Mary and Jim sang with the choir for 20 years. Detroit neighborhood friends will fondly remember Mary and family opening their home to host dinner parties.
After retirement Mary and Jim moved to South Boardman, "up north". They built a home in the woods on the south branch of the Boardman River where they enjoyed peace and tranquility. Mary kept many bird feeders going, making notations about various birds in her journals and field guide books. She was a Master Gardener, an avid reader, volunteered her tax preparation skills at the local senior center, and made a variety of beautiful art over her lifetime. She loved her children and grandchildren. She traveled with them all over the world, traveled to see them wherever they lived, and welcomed them back home as often as possible.
She is loved and will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Mary is survived by her three daughters Alicia (David) Rowney, Kristin (Deb Beechy) LeBlanc, and Pecol Green; grandchildren Rhys Green and Karys Lovely, Madeline and Thomas Rowney; her brother Dan (Donna) Van Vels, and sister Louise (Wally) Walcott. Mary was preceded in death by her husband James LeBlanc and her sister Joanne (Jim) Oudbier.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mary's honor to Camp Westminster on Higgins Lake. You may go to https://campwestminster.com/ and donate to The Annual Fund.
The memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, May 11th from 1-4pm at Camp Westminster on Higgins Lake.
Heartfelt appreciation goes out to Boardman Lake Glens - Brigadoon staff and Hospice of Michigan for their sincere care and attention to Mary.