Kathleen Ann LeBlanc Bailey, a native of New Orleans who was raised in Harvey, passed away at the age of 71 during the late evening hours of Monday, October 2, 2023, surrounded by family at Bayou Bend Health System in Franklin following a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer.This side of eternity is a darker place now that she is gone. She will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate to have known her.
Kathy, as she was affectionately known, was born on June 27, 1952, and was the eldest of six children born to the union of Aubrey and Lois LeBlanc. A 1970 graduate of L.W. Higgins High School in Marrero, she went on to receive her bachelor’s degree, Magna Cum Laude, in Accounting from Holy Cross College in New Orleans. Kathy worked for various companies in the New Orleans area including the former Louisiana Gas Company and its successors, the Archdiocese of New Orleans Long Term Healthcare Services and VIA LINK, a non-profit organization that provides 211 information and other services.
Kathy and her husband Ron moved to Franklin in December of 2011 where she blended right in, becoming a member of the Franklin Garden Club, the Franklin Fortnightly, and the St. Mary Chapter of the Louisiana Landmarks Society. She also served as a community volunteer member of the Board of the St. Mary Parish Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Acadiana. Prior to moving to Franklin, Kathy became a lifetime member of the Thyroid Cancer Survivors Association and was a New Orleans-area facilitator for the organization. Her many passions included her gardens, especially her peach roses, reading and the camaraderie of her Samba and canasta card groups and dominoes withneighbors. Kathy never met a stranger and could strike up a conversation with anyone she came across.
Those she leaves to cherish her memory include her husband of 32 years, Ronald Bailey; her beloved son, Jeffrey Perque and his husband John Creasy; three grandchildren, Paul, Brandon, and Lindsey; two great grandchildren, Savannah and Isla; five siblings, Cindy Galey and her husband Clifford, Aubrey LeBlanc Jr., Nancy Roberts and her husband Pat, Gail Boudreaux and her husband Daniel, and Bobby LeBlanc and his wife Maggie; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, godchildren, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Aubrey Joseph LeBlanc Sr., a native of Marrero, and Marguerite Lois Falcon LeBlanc, a native of Belle Alliance, Louisiana as well as by many dear family members.
Memorial services will be held Tuesday, October 17th, at 7:00 PM at Ibert’s Mortuary in Franklin, with Father Joel Faulk officiating. Friends are invited to join the family for the visitation at Ibert’s beginning at 4:30 PM.
Memorial services will also be held in Harvey at Mothe Funeral Home, 2100 Westbank Expy, Harvey, LA 70058, on Thursday, October 19th, at 7:00 PM with visitation beginning at 5:00 PM.
The family would like to thank their healthcare family at Franklin Foundation Hospital (now Bayou Bend Health System) for their long-time friendship, kindness, and outstanding compassionate care. They would also like to thank the staff at the Cancer Center of Acadiana, the Infusion Therapy Department at Iberia Medical Center, Oncologics and Nursing Care Home Health.
In lieu of flowers the family requests consideration of honoring Kathy’s memory through contributions to the Thyroid Cancer Survivors Association (thyca.org) or the American Cancer Society.
Family and friends may view the obituary and express their condolences online by visiting www.iberts.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert’s Mortuary, Inc., 1007 Main Street, Franklin, LA 70538, (337) 828-5426.