Leslie Claire (Shamess) Aubé died on August 9th, 2023 surrounded by her family after a courageous 20 year battle with cancer.
She was born on June 9th, 1935 in Toronto, Ontario and was raised in the Aylmer area. She completed Teachers College and became an elementary school teacher in London, Ontario. Her teaching career continued in Espanola, Ontario where she married and had two sons, John Shamess and Paul Shamess. In 1967, Leslie and her family moved to Elliot Lake where she worked in special education and taught music for 30 years.
Leslie is survived by her husband Roland Aubé, her children John Shamess (Paula) and Paul Shamess (Jennifer) and her grandchildren Danny, Laura and Sabrina, as well as her little sister Colette Brown.
During her career and retirement, Leslie continued to serve her community. She was a life member of St. Joseph’s Hospital Auxiliary and sat on the Board of Directors of the Hospital for 12 years, finishing her term as Chairman. Leslie was also on the board of directors of various organizations including the White Mountain Academy, the Arts Club, the Elliot Lake Legal Clinic and the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation.
Leslie was an artist and painted numerous scenes of the North Channel; she was known as the rock lady. She donated several paintings over the years and cruised the North Channel of Lake Huron extensively as the admiral on the family boat.
Leslie enjoyed golfing with Cleta, Louise and Faye at least four days a week, weather permitting. She also volunteered her time assisting her husband in the organization of the Annual Elliot Lake Community Dinner for 5 years.
The joys of her life were her grandchildren, Danny Shamess (Chloe), a musician living in Australia, Laura Shamess (Mitch), a lawyer in Sudbury, and Sabrina Shamess, who is starting university and looking forward to a career in teaching like her grandma and her parents.
The family wishes to thank Drs. Purzner, Long and Larochelle for their very kind and professional assistance in this difficult time of her life. Thank you also to Alberta Jones, Ron Smith and the staff at Hillside Residence who took such good care of Leslie during the last few days of her life. Thanks are also owed to Suzanne and Carla of Bayshore HealthCare for their excellent and diligent nursing care.
At her request, Leslie’s remains were cremated. There will be no funeral service, however a Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday September 16, 2023 from 1 to 4 pm at the Hampton Inn in Elliot Lake.
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Joseph’s Foundation of Elliot Lake (Oncology Renovation Project).
Arrangements are entrusted to the Elliot Lake Funeral Chapel & Cremation Centre (36 Ontario Ave). Online condolences to Leslie’s family may be made at www.elliotlakefuneralchapel.com
She is lovingly remembered for her beautiful, kind smile and her sparkling blue eyes.