A resident of the St. Joseph’s Villa in Cornwall for the past two months, Leona McIntosh passed away there on Monday, July 24, 2017. She was 85.
Leona was born in Kingston on May 18, 1932 to her parents Leo and Isabell Gallagher (nee Bremner). She spent her childhood in Chesterville, attending St. Mary’s Separate School and later Chesterville High School. Leona worked in her father’s grocery store in her spare time.
Her first job was for the Workman’s Compensation Board in Toronto. Leona returned to Iroquois at the age of 17 to work at Caldwell Linen Mill for two years before marrying her high school sweetheart Ron McIntosh.
The couple lived on Point Iroquois until the building of the St. Lawrence Seaway. They moved to the new town of Iroquois and purchased a home on Maple Avenue where they lived for 45 years, raising three children.
Over her lifetime, Leona worked in various stores in Iroquois Shopping Plaza as well as her home as a seamstress. She worked for a number of years in the cafeteria of Seaway District High School. She finished her career at Upper Canada Village as a Historical Interpreter.
Leona volunteered for several organizations including teaching Sunday school and being a Pack Leader for the Iroquois Girl Guides as well as the Brownies. She was a member of the United Church Women and was President of the Good Companions Seniors Club in Iroquois. Leona organized many day trips for the seniors club and rides for cancer patients receiving treatment throughout Eastern Ontario as a part of the Cancer Society. She was a member of the Rebekah Lodge as well as the Women’s Institute.
Leona had a passion for politics, later becoming the chair of both the provincial and the federal Liberal Party in Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.
While she excelled at her career and public life, her most fulfilling accomplishments centred on her family life. Her pastimes included baking, sewing, knitting, crocheting, quilting and various other crafts; her hands were never idle.
Leona babysat several children in her home over the years, with her grandchildren among them.
Her greatest joy came from her time spent with her family in her kitchen or at the cottage. Her house always had an open door where you could always find amazing treats and hear laughter from family and friends alike.
After suffering a massive stroke in 2009, Leona was unable to talk or walk for the remainder of her life. She was home with her family until January 3rd, 2017, when she suffered multiple heart attacks.
Leona moved into the Chartwell Hartford in Morrisburg, where she lived for three months. After suffering another medical emergency, she moved into St. Joseph’s Villa in Cornwall where she resided until her passing.
Leona is survived by her husband of over 65 years Ron McIntosh, her children Gordon McIntosh (Laurie) of Mariatown, Robin McIntosh (Janice) of Barrhaven and Janis Van Dodewaard (John) of Iroquois and her siblings Margaret Mallory of Tweed, Larry Gallagher (Barbara) of Bobcaygeon and Donald Gallagher of Erin.
Leona will be fondly remembered by grandchildren Christopher (Katherine), Terry (Sarah), Cameron, Caitlin (Jon), Spencer (Amanda), Connor and great-grandchildren Taylor, Madison and Lachlan. She is also survived by nieces and nephews.
Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Iroquois, on Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral Service was held at the Funeral Home on Friday, July 28th at 11 a.m., with Rev. Valerie VandeWiele officiating. Cremation followed.
Pallbearers were grandchildren Christopher McIntosh, Terry O’Connell, Cameron McIntosh, Caitlin Harris (Van Dodewaard), Spencer McIntosh and Connor McIntosh. Inurnment of cremated remains will be at Iroquois Point Cemetery.
Donations to the Ottawa Heart Institute or the Canadian Cancer Society would be gratefully acknowledged by the family.
Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.