Leone Rose Gabruck (nee Gouthreau)
It is with heavy hearts that the family of Leone Rose Gabruck announce her passing on December 28, 2023.
She leaves to mourn her spouse Kelly Gabruck of forty-one years; brother in law Ron Gabruck (Trich); and sister in law Colleen Kwiatkowski; as well as various nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family and friends.
Leone was predeceased by her parents Leo and Rita Gouthreau. She was very proud of her father who was a bomber pilot in World War II. She served in various administrative capacities within the Norwood Legion in support of his memory and as a show of respect for all veterans.
Leone was a graduate of Dalhousie University, where she obtained a Bachelor of Commerce Degree. She loved music which could be heard constantly playing throughout the house. She also loved animals, particularly her cats and her favorite dog Cleo. She made awesome Caesars, which were often described as a meal in and of itself. She was an excellent cook, and kept a meticulous house.
Leone had gorgeous blue eyes, a beautiful smile, and a wonderful sense of humor. She was a lady with quick wit and strong opinions, known for standing up for what she believed in. She loved Kelly and it was her pride to take care and dote on him.
The family would like to personally thank Nikki Nicholson for all her unwavering support during this difficult time.
Donations in memory of Leone can be made to the Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society (AARCS) in loving support of animals and their care.
https://support.aarcs.ca/site/Donation2?df_id=1480&mfc_pref=T&1480.donation=form1
As per her wishes, there will be no funeral service.
She will be missed for her meatballs at Christmas and her unwavering harassment of my dad. Her love of the Legion and the various cats she always had whenever I visited.
Hi Kelly our deepest sympathy
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting at the legion and became friends with Leone and we did butt heads a couple times. she will be missed and condolences to Kelly and extended family.
Hi Kelly,
So sorry for your loss…Leone was very special, appreciate all the time that I had with her over the years.
Sending you lots of love. Xx
Condolences to Kelly. Leone was the life of the party. Always had witty comments and stiff drinks. She will be missed by many.
Kelly .. our heartfelt condolences go out to you. I remember your wedding, her bubbly personality and big smile! She will always be with you in your heart. Love, hugs and prayers.
Dear Kelly,
My dear friend Leone, I will miss her terribly. I will always smile when I think of her as we shared so many good times and happy memories. She was always up for a party, loved to dance, had a great sense of humour, and who can forget those delicious Caesars! Even with the distance between us we stayed in touch for 40+ years and always loved catching up on all the latest news. She had a wonderful life with you Kelly and we are so happy to have had a lovely visit with you in Summer 2022. Our deepest sympathy, sending much love xo
Dear Kelly
I want to express my deepest condolences to you.
I hope this message finds you surrounded by love and support during what I can only imagine is an incredibly difficult time.
I’ll always cherish the memories of shared adventures and laughter that I enjoyed with Leone during our formative years. She was a true friend and I feel very fortunate to have had her in my life.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Marcia
Kelly, our sincere sympathies for your loss. Leone was one in a million, a dear friend for over 40 years. She was kind, generous, and a fabulous teller of hilarious stories. We shall miss her terribly.
Jennifer Head and Rebecca Warner
Kelly,
I extend my deepest condolences for your loss. Although I never had the privilege of meeting Leone, please know that my thoughts are with you during this challenging period. Take care.
Warm regards,
Sandra
Kelly, Although I prepared myself many times over the last few months I still can’t believe Leone is gone. We were cousins with mothers who were sisters. Even though I was a month older Leone was always the “boss” and I just accepted that. I have so many great memories of giggles together sharing a bed when we were little. She had her Dad’s sense of humour as well as his laugh and could tell a great story as he could. I loved them both for that.
I met the love of my life at Leone’s saddest time in life and I always felt some guilt with that. But then Leone found her own love of her life in you Kelly as soon as she moved out to Edmonton. I’m not sure how she would have gotten through those years without you. There was definitely a bond there that could never be broken. Thank you for being there for her over the years and most importantly through these last few difficult months. My biggest regret is we did not stay in closer touch with each other over the years but when we did see or talk to each other it was like time stood still. Oh how I wished she has embraced social media but it was not to be.
Her love of music started at an early age with the Rolling Stones being her fav group. I was more Beatles at the time. Her Dad always referred to Mick Jagger as “Liver Lips” when he saw him on Ed Sullivan Show and we would crack up. She began her extensive collection of music at a very early age from calling in to a local radio show hosted by Frank Cameron and would win albums. It amazes me to this day how she and “my Bill” could identify what song an album was from and its placement on the album.
I know you have so many great memories as well Kelly and I truly hope you can draw on those now to comfort you as you adjust to this loss in your life. Leone will be loved forever by many.
Kelly, you and Leone were kind enough to show us the art of proper entertaining, and we will forever cherish our memories of the times spent together and all of the laughs we shared. Our hearts go out to you, and as your neighbors, we’re only ever just a pathway away.
Love, S&V
Kelly, my deepest sympathy on the loss of Leone. She was one of a kind and will be missed. Take care of yourself.
Kelly.. this is Laura.. I don’t know if you remember me. I remember you .. I’m the daughter of your auntie Isabel Leibel..I never met the love of your life.. I’m so sorry to hear this sad news.. My brother Brian passed on January 5th 4 years ago it will be..big hugs ..❤️
My thoughts and prayers are with you Kelly in this time of sorrow. Remember that Leone always would want you to continue on with your life and to definately take care of the Generals. Juanita and Carlos. Remember if you need anything you have friends that will just jump in and help when needed. Remember all the good times it will help.
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I will miss her strong views on many things.
My sincere condolences, Kelly. Leone had such a big personality, I know she will leave behind a large void. Please take care of yourself and remember that, as a neighbour, I am just a few feet away and ready to help in any way.
Dear Kelly….I’ve started this so many times…..little Leone…that’s always how I think of her – no doubt because I was 9 years older! We didn’t see each other often growing up however we really reconnected more these past 20-25 years. Leone always called us double cousins since our Dads were brothers and our Moms sisters. In so many ways Leone’s ways reminded me of Uncle Leo! The bonus as well when Leone started coming to visit is that she and Dana became friends and the added plus of having some of my family here!
Cocktail time with Leone was a true adventure! Seems she’d empty the fridge to make our Caesars – they truly were a work of art! One of the last times we spoke she said she was coming to make us Caesars again!
How blessed you both were to have found each other! Kelly lean on family and friends who love you to help you through this difficult time. May you find some peace and comfort recalling memories of your 41 years together. Leone’s passing is a loss for everyone who loved her 💔
My sincere condolences Kelly,
I am so sorry to hear this very sad news, especially at this time of year.
I will always remember the hours I spent listening to and talking about music with Leonne, and the many dinners we all shared together. She was always a welcoming and wonderful host.
I recently came across her contact info in my files, and I was hoping to send her a message to say hi.
Sadly though, I missed that chance.
I hope you and your family have many comforting memories of Leone to help you through this difficult time
I will remember her and keep her in my prayers
Sincerely
Walter Kwiatkowski
Kelly..Trent and I express our sincere condolences to you..
I am so sad about Leone’s passing. She was truly one of a kind. I will miss her visits to the salon, all of her stories and the laughs we shared. I always looked forward to the Saturdays when she would come in. She was such a smart person, I learned a lot from her! We always talked about music, cooking, the cats and of course, you! I loved the stories of her past, all the fun times she had with her friends. And how she never forgot the names of people that she met! Stories of people from the legion or some of your favourite bars or restaurants.
She was a client of mine for over 30 years and I will miss her forever.. all of us girls (and clients at the salon that she got to know) will miss her!
Hold tight to all of your wonderful memories and I hope you surround yourself with the love of your family at this difficult time..Please take care
Our heartfelt condolences Kelly. Cherish your memories together.
We will miss seeing you guys at ‘our’ table at BP’s!
Take good care ❤️
Kelly my deepest condolences to you and the Gabruck family on your loss. Leone was like a big sister to Colleen and I growing up, her door always open to us and she was so kind. I’ve enjoyed seeing you both more recently at Dallas and it was always like time had stood still. Such a beautiful soul who I know during this difficult time will be missed. Know that we are thinking of you and here for you. In our thoughts and prayers.
Theresa McGee and the Miller Family
Kelly, Jerry and i are so sorry to hear of your dear Lenone ‘s.death. I remember her big smile and the conversations we had. May God bless u as only he can.
Our love and prayers.
Kelly, we were deeply saddened to hear of Leone’s passing. May your memories of the time spent together remain in your heart and give you strength to always feel her near. Our condolences to you and the family.
Kelly
So sorry for the loss of your dear wife. I will always cherish Leone’s hospitality, conversations and love of music. I remember all the fun times when you and I first met her at the Lamplighter. Now that was a party tower!
Take care Kelly
Kelly, my sincere condolences, Leone was such a beautiful lady, she amazed me how she remembered everything a person told her, she was so sharp & had the best sense of humour, I enjoyed our talks, she will be so missed. ❤️ May your many treasured memories help you through this difficult time.
Our deepest and sincerest condolences to you Kelly in the loss of your most Beautiful wife, May her memories live on Forever ,
Kelly…Bruce and I are shocked and saddened to learn that Leone has passed away. We were friends in high school & university. Then when we all ended up in Alberta and you “joined the party”, Kelly, we had many years of visits back & forth between Calgary and Edmonton! And yes, many Caesars were consumed! When we returned to Nova Scotia we always thought we’d see you both again, but sadly, that was not to be. Please know that we are thinking about you, Kelly, and are hoping that your many special memories of your years with Leone will comfort you through the difficult times ahead.
My deepest condolences from Nova Scotia as well. I too went to high school and Dalhousie with Leone, we had a lot of really fun fun times together back in the day. In fact we were all at a high school dance together the night she lost her parents. We were all just a bunch of crazy teenagers and her loss was a big shock to all us friends. This was when we met and became friends with her cousin Rosemary. I knew Leone moved to Edmonton and married a Kelly Gabruck, and that’s where our contact ended. Kelly I have thought of her so many times over the years. I left Dartmouth after university, I did Commerce as well, and lived in St. Catharines for 20 years after graduating Dal. My husband who was with the RCMP finally got transferred back to Halifax. We have been living in Lower Sackville for the last 26 years. I am so very sorry for your loss, I truly have thought of Leone many times over the years. She was a great friend, it makes me sad to think our chance to connect again will not happen. My sympathy to you and your family. A friend from back in the day.
Janet Janega Hayre
Kelly my deepest condolences. I have thought of you two often since Leone and I worked together in Edmonton. Leone was special. She always had the most hilarious stories. I will miss her deeply.
Dear Kelly,
I am so sorry that Leone is gone. I struggle to find the words. I have so many fond memories of her – of you both. You both always treated me like a person instead of just a kid. You were like family. Leone was a one of a kind person and I will never forget her. The world is a sadder place now I am deeply sorry for your loss, and the loss felt by anyone who knew her.
Kelly: we just heard about Leone’s passing. So sad and so young.
Thinking of you!
Bonnie Goulet and family