Obituary for Leona Reta McLean
“Leona” Anna Reta McLean, aged 93 years, passed away peacefully on April 19th, 2021 at St Joseph’s Hospice, in the loving company of her family.
Leona was born in Virden Manitoba on March 16th, 1928 to Arthemise and Theodore Vaillant. Raised in a warm and caring family Leona was the eleventh of fifteen children. The onset of the Great Depression, coupled with crop failures, compelled the Vaillant family to move to their grandfather’s dairy farm in Murillo, Ontario when Leona was two. She and her siblings helped on the farm, which shipped milk to the Port Arthur Dairy Coop. In the winter excess milk was used to flood the rink.
Leona went to school at S.S #4 on John Street Road until she was fifteen years old and then it was off to the working world for Leona. One of the jobs that Leona was most proud of was her time at the Canadian Car and Foundry in Fort William, building fighter and bomber aircraft needed for the war effort. We can still hear the pride in her voice when she talked about her time and contribution at “Can Car”. Leona was married to Wilson McLean from 1949 until his passing in 1978. She resided in several neighbourhoods in Thunder Bay until finally settling in at the house on Bruce street with her sisters Ella and Ivy. It is safe to say that there was not a craft or creative outlet that Leona could not conquer. Her home was adorned with her beautiful oil paintings of flowers and landscapes, handmade jewellery boxes, and lovingly sewn quilts. Leona and her sisters were the “Quilting Queens” of Bruce Street, and she ensured that her quilts and other creations were raffled off at the Vaillant family reunions, and donated to the Thunder Bay 55+ Centre, of which she was a long-time member and contributor. Christmas time was Leona’s favourite time of the year. Not only would she generously lavish her family with gifts and sweet treats, Leona, her sisters and Debbie would decorate the Bruce street house with dozens of different types of Christmas trees; from small to large. Their house was a wonderland of lights, merriment, and the Christmas spirit.
Leona and her sisters loved tending to their flower beds and attending Saturday Yard Sales. Leona loved a good deal! And even though most of these purchases ended up in her garage, she was content in the fact that she always got her “treasures” on sale.
Leona had a terrific sense of humour and was known for her sassy retorts, infectious laugh, and radiant smiles. Leona was the benevolent matriarch of our family. She was a beloved mother to her four children, and doting grandmother to her 5 grandkids who affectionately knew her as “Nanny”. She was a kind, compassionate and patient woman who took the best care of her family and loved them with all her heart and soul. Her love and light will forever live in our own hearts and memories and can never be diminished.
Leona is predeceased by her husband Wilson and daughter Judy. Survived by her son Greg, daughters Debbie and Marsha, son in law Dan, sister Reta Mallagerio, brother-in-law Freddy McLean, grandchildren Vanessa, Danielle, Erin, Ryan, Tyler, and great grandchild Nolan.
Special thanks to all the staff at P.R. Cook for their extra effort and compassionate care over the past five years.
A celebration of Leona’s life will be held at a later date. Donations to the Alzheimer Society of Thunder Bay are welcome and appreciated. Online condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.
Leona was born in Virden Manitoba on March 16th, 1928 to Arthemise and Theodore Vaillant. Raised in a warm and caring family Leona was the eleventh of fifteen children. The onset of the Great Depression, coupled with crop failures, compelled the Vaillant family to move to their grandfather’s dairy farm in Murillo, Ontario when Leona was two. She and her siblings helped on the farm, which shipped milk to the Port Arthur Dairy Coop. In the winter excess milk was used to flood the rink.
Leona went to school at S.S #4 on John Street Road until she was fifteen years old and then it was off to the working world for Leona. One of the jobs that Leona was most proud of was her time at the Canadian Car and Foundry in Fort William, building fighter and bomber aircraft needed for the war effort. We can still hear the pride in her voice when she talked about her time and contribution at “Can Car”. Leona was married to Wilson McLean from 1949 until his passing in 1978. She resided in several neighbourhoods in Thunder Bay until finally settling in at the house on Bruce street with her sisters Ella and Ivy. It is safe to say that there was not a craft or creative outlet that Leona could not conquer. Her home was adorned with her beautiful oil paintings of flowers and landscapes, handmade jewellery boxes, and lovingly sewn quilts. Leona and her sisters were the “Quilting Queens” of Bruce Street, and she ensured that her quilts and other creations were raffled off at the Vaillant family reunions, and donated to the Thunder Bay 55+ Centre, of which she was a long-time member and contributor. Christmas time was Leona’s favourite time of the year. Not only would she generously lavish her family with gifts and sweet treats, Leona, her sisters and Debbie would decorate the Bruce street house with dozens of different types of Christmas trees; from small to large. Their house was a wonderland of lights, merriment, and the Christmas spirit.
Leona and her sisters loved tending to their flower beds and attending Saturday Yard Sales. Leona loved a good deal! And even though most of these purchases ended up in her garage, she was content in the fact that she always got her “treasures” on sale.
Leona had a terrific sense of humour and was known for her sassy retorts, infectious laugh, and radiant smiles. Leona was the benevolent matriarch of our family. She was a beloved mother to her four children, and doting grandmother to her 5 grandkids who affectionately knew her as “Nanny”. She was a kind, compassionate and patient woman who took the best care of her family and loved them with all her heart and soul. Her love and light will forever live in our own hearts and memories and can never be diminished.
Leona is predeceased by her husband Wilson and daughter Judy. Survived by her son Greg, daughters Debbie and Marsha, son in law Dan, sister Reta Mallagerio, brother-in-law Freddy McLean, grandchildren Vanessa, Danielle, Erin, Ryan, Tyler, and great grandchild Nolan.
Special thanks to all the staff at P.R. Cook for their extra effort and compassionate care over the past five years.
A celebration of Leona’s life will be held at a later date. Donations to the Alzheimer Society of Thunder Bay are welcome and appreciated. Online condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.