Thérèse Creaghan (1924–2016) in one of her favourite photos after a great day at the beach in Shediac, New Brunswick

Thérèse Anne Creaghan (née LeBlanc)

Died peacefully after a brief illness in Fredericton, New Brunswick, on September 2, 2016 at the age of 92. She was predeceased by her husband, Bill Creaghan, and is survived by her three children, Lawrence (Andrea Thibault) of Montreal, Andrew of Edmonton, and Valerie (Daniel Cayer) of Gracefield, Quebec, five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews on the LeBlanc and Creaghan sides of the family.

Thérèse Anne LeBlanc was born on June 12, 1924 in the Village of Saint-Joseph, in the Memramcook Valley (“le nombril de l’Acadie”) just east of Moncton, New Brunswick. Her father, Albeni (known as “Ben Bunker”) was a prosperous businessman in the area. Her mother was the former Exelda Gallant. Thérèse was the youngest of nine children, with six sisters and two brothers (in order of seniority): Anita, Hermance, Berthe, Angéline, Antoinette, Ulysse, Colombe, and Loyola. All her siblings predeceased her (some by many years), making Thérèse the last surviving member of the family.

Captain William Lawrence Marven Creaghan and his wife, Thérèse, Forest Hill Cemetery, Fredericton

The family, which included maids, a grandmother, and an aunt or two, occupied a large home in Saint-Joseph with outbuildings for horses and dogs. The children were all well-educated academically and musically. The situation for Thérèse changed dramatically when her father died unexpectedly. She was only five. She and her mother moved to a home on Church Street in Moncton. Many of her much older siblings were already married and others were able to make it on their own or were taken in by relatives.

Her mother died when Thérèse was ten. She was sent to study and live in a convent and spent holidays with relatives. She was always very grateful to her sister, Berthe (Bertha), and her husband, Dr. Joe Giovannetti, of Richibucto and then Newcastle, for their kindness in this respect.

After graduation, Thérèse studied nursing. She worked as a nurse in Montreal, in private practice and in hospitals. When her sister Anita became very ill, she returned home to Moncton to nurse her. It was during this time that she met and then married Bill Creaghan on September 3, 1950. Bill died on October 1, 2008.

In addition to raising three children and supporting Bill in his political career, Thérèse had a wide circle of friends and interests, including art, philosophy (she took many courses at university when the family moved to Fredericton in 1968), and literature. She read widely in both English and French. Perhaps her greatest love was the sea. She loved swimming (no breakfast in the cottage unless you had a swim). She enjoyed many happy New Brunswick summers at Caissie Cape, Shediac, Cap-Brulé, Cap-Pelé, and Burnt Church.

Thérèse was a great storyteller, especially about life in Saint-Joseph. Some of the characters in her stories made their way into her friend Laurier Melanson’s (1931–2014) successful books (Zélika à Cochon Vert) and plays. Her sense of humour and sometimes wicked wit were a delight to all who knew her.

There is no service, by request. Thérèse will be buried next to Bill.

She will be greatly missed.