Leila was born in Nottingham, UK in 1945 and passed away peacefully on October 11, 2026 in Toronto, Canada. Predeceased by her husband Gunter Gad and brother John (Mary) and survived by her sister Lynne (Vernon) and her children Karl (Rachel) and Katie (Dave) and her grandchildren Zander and Sam Beaton.

Leila studied Geobotany at the London School of Economics where she met Gunter and her Canadian friend, Jane, with whom she travelled through southern Africa in the 1960s. Leila and Gunter came to Canada in 1968 and were adopted by Jane’s family into the Cudmore clan. Leila worked in Botany at the University of Toronto and then held various educational roles at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) ending in the early 2000s with contracts in exhibit development. Leila was proudly involved in elements of the Ancient Egypt and European galleries that can still be seen today.

Upon retirement, Leila devoted herself to the role of caregiver for Gunter in his final years and to being a loving and fun Omi to Zander and Sam. She enjoyed getting together with her many friends, her neighborhood community, and working in her garden. Occasional trips to England allowed her to reconnect with her English family whom she loved and treasured. Leila will be remembered for her empathy, intelligence, and formidable will.

The family would like to thank the staff at Sunnybrook for their exceptional care and compassion over the years. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre.

A celebration of life will be held at 1:30 p.m. on November 7, 2026 at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Centres.