Leaone Averil Willcocks

Leaone Averil Vader Willcocks passed away unexpectedly on Friday 19 June at the Northumberland Hills Hospital Cobourg in her 81st year. Beloved wife of Ken Willcocks and mother of Corinne, Brad and Lyall all of Cobourg. Only child of Balfour Vader and Gertrude (Gertie) Peel. Loving Grandma of Lexi, Christopher, Myles, Stephen, Gavin, Bridget, Aiden and Kyle. Born in Toronto, Leaone was raised and educated in Bancroft. Later she attended Normal (Teacher's)School in  Peterborough. Leaone was a Primary School teacher at St. George's School in Belleville where she met her life partner Ken from England. They married on 10th December 1955. Because Ken was in the Militia, Leaone made time to be Regent of the I.O.D.E. and a member of Beta Sigma Phisorority in Belleville. With 3 children in 1968 they moved their young family to Bancroft where they bought the Sword Motel owned by Leaone's Parents. Leaone managed the restaurant and related well to the mostly female staff. Following her mother, Leaone joined the Eastern Star in Bancroft. In addition to the challenges of school age children, the rest of the day was spent running the motel & restaurant. For 38 years Leaone assisted at many functions as a Hostess for formal functions in the Lieutenant Governor's Suite at Queen's Park in Toronto. She was inducted as a Dame in the Order of St. Lazarus by Chancellor Frank McEachren in Halifax. Leaone was always helping Ken at Hotel and Motel Association functions. She was his navigator when driving to Best Western Conventions and other meetings guiding him to Phoenix or Las Vegas and many other points across this continent. Leaone  & Ken travelled to England for many years to visit Ken's parents and relatives and to attend London functions of the Cordwainer's Guild. Leaone had the honour of being a Freewoman of the City of London, England. She and Ken climbed the Great Wall of China, toured France, Italy, Greece and Hawaii, cruised the Mediterranean and Caribbean islands and wondered at the multitudes of animals on an African Safari. Perhaps her family highlight was the two occasions when we took all the kids and grandkids to Disney World in Florida. She was so proud of and loved Linda, Tammra and Bob who married our own children. Having sold the Sword in Bancroft she went through the upheaval of moving to a new house in Cobourg designed by Ken to accommodate her reduced mobility. Everyone quickly learned to dodge her scooter when she sounded her chipmunk horn. During her last months she appreciated the tender care of Dr. Bayer, Dimitri Gould, Nightingale Nursing, Community Care, the VON and finally the outstanding Emergency Staff at Northumberland Hills Hospital. Visitation hours are 2-4 and 7-9pm at MacCoubrey Funeral Home, 30 King Street East, Cobourg, just west of the St. Peter's Anglican Church, on Wednesday 24 June. Leaone's Funeral is at St. Peter's Anglican Church on King Street East, Cobourg on Thursday 25 June at 2pm. Following the service, a reception will be held at the Best Western Plus Cobourg Inn, Cobourg. Donations to St. Peter's Anglican Church may be made through the funeral home at 905-372-5132 or at www.MacCoubrey.com.