October 8, 1945 – June 14, 2026
Cherished memories of our dear Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt and friend, Rose LeBlond, are held with great love, thus the news of her passing is shared with great sorrow. Sadly, Rose passed suddenly June 14, 2026, joining her beloved grandson, Dylan Richard LeBlond; her parents, Alfred Laurie and Patricia May Hilland; and her brother, Russell Timothy Hilland, in the great hereafter. Those of us left behind, holding her close in our hearts, include her husband, Barrie LeBlond; her children, Jason (Alane) and Christina LeBlond; her grandchildren, Jacob McCaskill, Matteus, Kaylee and Declan LeBlond; and her siblings, Michael (Carol), Edwin “Ted” (Pam), and Caroline (Mike) Hilland, along with far too many other relations and friends to mention individually.
Rose was an original “baby-boomer”. Born in the final year of WWII in England, she came to Canada at age two with her mother, a war-bride, and her father, a Canadian soldier. First the new family settled in Websters Corner, BC, on a rural farm amongst the larger Hilland clan. As newcomers to this country, this lifestyle, and amidst her father’s large Finnish/Norwegian family, Rose and her mother formed an inseparable bond. Soon Rose had three younger brothers, and eventually a baby sister; thus she became an even greater help and confidant to her mother. This relationship cannot be over emphasized, as throughout their lives Rose and her mother supported one another, and Rose, like her mother, became a beacon of love and support for others.
In 1962 the family moved to Hagensborg, in the remote, rugged wilderness of the Bella Coola Valley. With Rose’s father often away for work, Rose and her mother met the challenges of rustic pioneer life, while managing the antics of her three teenage brothers and baby sister. Indeed, like her mother, Rose learned perseverance through fortitude and good humour, two characteristics that came to define her. At this time she also answered her calling, entering the field of banking after high school graduation.
The family relocated again in 1965, to Kamloops, where Rose continued her career in banking. Upon meeting and marrying her husband, Barrie, in 1969 the couple moved to Vernon. Barrie’s career then took them to Lytton and Williams Lake, and finally back to Kamloops in the early 1970s. It was during this time that Rose’s gift to nurture and care for others came into full fruition, as she and Barrie raised their beautiful children, Jason and Christina. Rose blossomed as a hostess and an accomplished cook, and their home soon became the haven for others as well, and the venue for many elaborate birthdays, dinner parties and other social events.
In subsequent years Rose resumed her banking career with HSBC, where she excelled as a successful financial advisor. As Barrie’s career also advanced, they were able to build their dream home and enjoy a rewarding retirement, which included many close friendships, as well as travel to Great Britain, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico, and Morocco. Rose was also an important member of the Shriners’ Daughters of the Nile, organizing and facilitating many of their events. Most of all, however, Rose coveted the time she spent with her children and grandchildren, who are better people for having had such a kind and loving influence in their lives. It was her grandson Jacob, who articulated it best when he said, “Grandma made me want to be a better person”, words which can be echoed by all who knew her.
A Celebration of Life will be held later this summer, details of which will be shared with her broader family and long list of friends. In lieu of flowers we invite donations to the BC Children’s Hospital in Rose’s name.
Condolences may be sent to the family from
www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com
