August 9, 1931 - March 4, 2023
On Saturday, March 4, 2023, Jennie, loving wife, and mother of two, passed away peacefully in her sleep. She was a delightful and feisty 91 years. Born August 9, 1931, in Mullingar, Ireland, to Margaret and Patrick Leavy, Jennie was the oldest of seven children, Billie (Dierdre), Joe (Eileen), Patrick (Maureen), Margaret (died in childhood), Natalie (Tim) Brosnan, and Brian (Rose Marie).
After training at Mater Hospital, Belfast, Jennie commenced a long and storied nursing career. At 26 she set off on a life altering adventure arriving in Canada in 1957. A dashing Flying Officer, Brodie Templeton, swept her off her feet in 1963 and together they travelled extensively and lived in England, Germany, USA, and many Canadian provinces.
Jennie was known as a feisty 5-foot-tall nursing powerhouse. Her authentically warm, body-shaking laugh, beautiful smile and compassionate eyes brought people together and the biggest, strongest, most formidable patients softened in her presence.
Her delight in fashion and sense of style were well known as she always arrived at events beautifully dressed, elegantly quaffed, and sparkly both in form and spirit. At gatherings across the country and over the years, her love of family shone brightly and is captured in prized picture albums and remembered in our hearts.
Jennie is survived by her loving husband, Brodie, daughter Sharon Templeton (Barry Cameron), son Roger, granddaughter Ailis Cameron, sister Natalie, brothers Joe and Brian, and forty or so nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held in the summer. If you wish, please donate to the Alzheimer's Society of Canada in Jennie's name.