Brigitte Marguerite Leard
December 21, 1933 - November 12, 2009
- Share:
Brigitte Marguerite Leard
December 21, 1933 - November 12, 2009
Obituary
Leard, Brigitte M., 75 years young, passed away on November 12, 2009. Born December 21, 1933 in Paris, France, of a French mother and an American father. Raised in war-torn Paris, she was the oldest of six children. Brigitte attended Catholic parochial school as a young girl. She moved to Southern California in 1955, married in 1955 and lived in Huntington Beach for 46 years. Surf City was her home. She loved raising her family, entertaining, cooking and gardening. She placed little value on material wealth, but instead, devoted herself to the living, especially those struggling under the weight of difficult challenges.
She leaves behind a son, Edwin Jr. of Laguna Hills, and three daughters, Genevieve Gigi of Aliso Viejo, Martine of Laguna Niguel, and Dominique of Aguanga, CA. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren and one great-grandson.
Catholic Mass at St. Bonaventure, in Huntington Beach on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 10AM, followed by burial at Good Shepherd Cemetery in Huntington Beach.
18 responses to Brigitte Marguerite Leard
Joni Kearney says:
November 19, 2009
Dear Gigi, Martine, Eddie and Dominique & families,
I adored your mother Ariane. I remember first meeting her and how she introduced me to the world of France. I became obsessed with anything French, all because of your Maman.
Ariane was a lovely woman, dear friend to my mother, a shoulder to cry or lean on, a place to go in the storm. She would befriend anyone and then serve them wonderful French food.
Ariane brought such joy to my mother as a friend and to my father. She was very welcoming and kind to them. Both of my parents adored Ariane. I am thankful to have had that one day this past July to spend with Ariane , her sister Genevieve and my sister Ima. Although Ariane did not feel well, she was the ultimate hostess. I will miss her dearly and pray to her daily. I will keep her close to my heart always. I call her my French angel.
I will think of you everytime I step foot in Paris. I am forever grateful for your friendship and for helping me feel at home in France, your native land.
Tu me manque toujours,
Joni
Lori Kearney says:
November 19, 2009
Arienne could light up a room, a home, a neighborhood. When we moved to Huntington Beach in 1965, I remember we all fell in love with the beautiful French lady across the street with the most adorable children. Little did we know then that she would become such a lasting and vital part of our family.
There are so many memories, happy and sad. Arienne was always there for us. She became our mother’s most cherished friend and she meant the world to our dad after we lost Mom. It was Arienne who got us through the loss of both our parents. I feel I never was able to thank her enough for all her kindness and enthusiasm for life. I wish I could be there with her family today. My heart goes out to each of you, especially our childhood friends, Gigi, Martine, Dominique & Ed.
We will always love you Arienne! You are the epitome of beauty and grace and true to your name’s meaning, “most holy.” Please shine upon us Angel Arienne.
Amour toujours, Lori
Marijane & Dale Swanson says:
November 19, 2009
Dear Gigi, Ed, Martine, & Dominique,
Dale & I send our love & prayers to all your family~
I loved your sweet mom! She was the epitome
of love, grace, beauty and kindness~all of which are reflected in each of you.
Never will I pass a beautiful garden, see a string of pearls or enjoy a glass of champagne without remembering your darling mother.
I will cherish my memories of her always.
Love to all,
Marijane
Anonymous says:
November 20, 2009
Eulogy
given at Saint Bonaventure, Huntington Beach, CA November 19, 2009 10:00 am
Brigitte Marguerite Leard
Beloved mother, sister and friend
Our dear mom, known as “maman”, Ariane and Brigitte grew up in France during the dark days of World War II. In her reflections on those memories, she wrote,
”The winter of 1940 in Normandy, France, was a rigorous winter. Inside the Normandy style house, logs were burning in the large fireplace. Outside, icicles festooned the hangar, and the countryside was a blanket of snow. It was Christmas Eve, in World War II occupied France. My parents had sheltered four British flyers. They were sharing our lives and our fears, and tonight on this memorable Christmas Eve, they were sharing the joy of Christmas, away from their homeland and loved ones. Papo, my father, had gone in the woods earlier in the day to cut down a Christmas tree. With the help of the “British boys”, as we called them, we trimmed the tree with delicate clip-on glass ornaments and silver garlands. The finishing touch was the lighting of the candles by father and the boys. We gathered around the fireplace in a religious silence-the bright flames lighting up our faces. At regular intervals, the crackling of the wood and the sound of the winds would break the silence. When we spoke, it was in a low tone of voice, in case a collaborationist would make a surprise visit and turn us over to the enemies. Our Christmas dinner consisted of beans and biscuits. A large kettle of beans had been simmering on the wood burning stove for hours, and the aroma filled the room. My father had baked some biscuits that he had cut in fancy shapes. My parents had found some old toys in the attic and we rejoiced that there were presents. The bells of the little church of Pierrefiques were ringing in the night, calling on the believers to come and worship. On this memorable Christmas Eve, we received the gifts of joy, courage and strength for the days to come.”
Maman’s family suffered many painful difficulties and deprivations during this time and in the years to follow. As the oldest child of a now single- parent family, she bore much responsibility for a young girl. It was in this soil of hardship and challenge that our dear maman blossomed into a beautiful Parisian young woman. Although there was little money in her home, my mother and her three sisters held their heads high and were probably among the loveliest young women in Paris. They and their two brothers were creative, intelligent, talented and rich in warmth, humor and love.
At the age of 21, Brigitte ventured to California to see her father and during that time she fell in love with a handsome young man named Edwin Leard. They married and settled in southern California and began a family. In time, Brigitte and Ed had four children, one son, named Edwin and three daughters, Martine, Dominique and Me Gigi. We settled in Huntington Beach in 1963. All but one of maman’s siblings eventually followed her and made the United States their home.
Maman sent us to public school, but homeschooled us in French, so that we could become bilingual. While we were growing up, my parents hosted wonderful parties. Our home on Tyndall Drive was the family hot spot for all our relatives. Although Maman spent little time or money on herself, she always looked lovely. I can never remember my mother looking unkempt, even when she painted bedrooms and cut trees with a chainsaw. I can recall being in grade school in the 60’s at C.F. Schroeder Elementary School and being called in to the principal’s office. I was horrified and had no idea what offense I’d committed. My principal, Mr. Stice, placed his hairy thumb in the middle of my knee and proclaimed that the length of my dress was too short. He called my mom to come to school and take me home. My mom waltzed in wearing a stunning mini dress far shorter than mine, inquiring about the nature of my offense. The principal had little to say.
I remember when my parents went cla
Barbara Jo Thieme says:
November 21, 2009
Gigi,I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of your mom, she was always so loving and caring to me and Josh and Casi. I know that her health has suffered greatly over these past few years and that she is rejoicing at being pain free now. I’m keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers, hugs to you all!
Love, Barbara