In memory of
Leila Abdo
February 10, 1941 - April 4, 2026
Leila Abdo, born Leila Khoury in Beirut Lebanon on July 24, 1941, lost her father at a very young
age and was raised by her beloved mother as the second youngest of six children in Lebanon
following the Second World War. She was raised to value her brothers, sisters, family and life
itself.
At a time when few women pursued higher education and even fewer worked, Leila worked
steadfastly to pursue her education. In her 20s, she was chosen to represent Lebanon and
travelled to the Philippines despite financial and social constraints and at a young age
commenced employment and excelled.
After marrying the love of her life, Jacques, on September 7, 1968, she devoted herself as a wife
and mother to her true passion: family.
Mother to John, Joya, and Juliana, and grandmother to eight beautiful grandchildren: Jack,
Juliana, Luke, Andrew, Emma, Gavin, Lewis, and Abbey. She devoted her life to Jacques, her
husband of 57 years and to her children, grandchildren, nephews, and nieces.
While Jacques travelled for work, Leila raised her children across many countries through the
Middle East and Europe travelling either to be where Jacques’ work took them or to flee the
Lebanese war; sometimes fleeing only with the clothes on her back and her three young
children in the middle of the night.
Throughout her life, she was guided by her dedication and love for her family and her desire to
see her children succeed and live happily. She worked tirelessly, assisting them with their
education and artistic and personal endeavours. Her children, followed by her grandchildren,
remained the central cause and purpose in her life to the end.
Leila set high standards for her children with an insistence that they always carry themselves
with dignity and self respect.
Leila was a self taught poet, artist, and an amazing cook. The heart of her life was always her
loving, devoted, faithful, and supportive husband Jacques throughout many difficult times.
During their marriage, whether by choice or under duress, Leila moved and set up numerous
homes for her family across many countries, always making them feel comfortable and never
once was heard to complain.
Leila‘s sisters and brothers were a central part of her life, as were their families. After
immigrating to Canada in 1984, to join many of her family members, Leila took on work
teaching French and Arabic. She was a self-taught and natural artist creating beautiful paintings
and her love of reading also resulted in her being the head of a number of book clubs.
Leila loved life, music, her friends and faith. She was a devout Christian and you could find her
in the front pew of her church every Sunday. She had unwavering faith and the peace it would
bring.
Leila sadly watched her brothers and sisters pre-decease her and is survived only by her
youngest and beloved sister, Siham, whose children and family she loved as her own. She and
her siblings were always close, and she held a tremendous love for their families that lasted to
the end.
Born with genetically high risk, cardiac factors, Leila endured multiple heart attacks, a triple
bypass and extensive medications, but survived and thrived ultimately brought down by the
cruel and ugly disease of Alzheimer’s.
As she would have wished, Leila will be remembered for the light, love, kindness and caring she
freely gave to all around her and for her strength in overcoming the many challenges in her life
instead of the torturous physical, emotional, and mental suffering, she bravely endured near
the end of her exceptional and cherished life.
age and was raised by her beloved mother as the second youngest of six children in Lebanon
following the Second World War. She was raised to value her brothers, sisters, family and life
itself.
At a time when few women pursued higher education and even fewer worked, Leila worked
steadfastly to pursue her education. In her 20s, she was chosen to represent Lebanon and
travelled to the Philippines despite financial and social constraints and at a young age
commenced employment and excelled.
After marrying the love of her life, Jacques, on September 7, 1968, she devoted herself as a wife
and mother to her true passion: family.
Mother to John, Joya, and Juliana, and grandmother to eight beautiful grandchildren: Jack,
Juliana, Luke, Andrew, Emma, Gavin, Lewis, and Abbey. She devoted her life to Jacques, her
husband of 57 years and to her children, grandchildren, nephews, and nieces.
While Jacques travelled for work, Leila raised her children across many countries through the
Middle East and Europe travelling either to be where Jacques’ work took them or to flee the
Lebanese war; sometimes fleeing only with the clothes on her back and her three young
children in the middle of the night.
Throughout her life, she was guided by her dedication and love for her family and her desire to
see her children succeed and live happily. She worked tirelessly, assisting them with their
education and artistic and personal endeavours. Her children, followed by her grandchildren,
remained the central cause and purpose in her life to the end.
Leila set high standards for her children with an insistence that they always carry themselves
with dignity and self respect.
Leila was a self taught poet, artist, and an amazing cook. The heart of her life was always her
loving, devoted, faithful, and supportive husband Jacques throughout many difficult times.
During their marriage, whether by choice or under duress, Leila moved and set up numerous
homes for her family across many countries, always making them feel comfortable and never
once was heard to complain.
Leila‘s sisters and brothers were a central part of her life, as were their families. After
immigrating to Canada in 1984, to join many of her family members, Leila took on work
teaching French and Arabic. She was a self-taught and natural artist creating beautiful paintings
and her love of reading also resulted in her being the head of a number of book clubs.
Leila loved life, music, her friends and faith. She was a devout Christian and you could find her
in the front pew of her church every Sunday. She had unwavering faith and the peace it would
bring.
Leila sadly watched her brothers and sisters pre-decease her and is survived only by her
youngest and beloved sister, Siham, whose children and family she loved as her own. She and
her siblings were always close, and she held a tremendous love for their families that lasted to
the end.
Born with genetically high risk, cardiac factors, Leila endured multiple heart attacks, a triple
bypass and extensive medications, but survived and thrived ultimately brought down by the
cruel and ugly disease of Alzheimer’s.
As she would have wished, Leila will be remembered for the light, love, kindness and caring she
freely gave to all around her and for her strength in overcoming the many challenges in her life
instead of the torturous physical, emotional, and mental suffering, she bravely endured near
the end of her exceptional and cherished life.