GARTSHORE, Maureen & Leslie

Maureen Claire Gartshore (nee Kelly), 86, passed away quietly on Saturday, June 13^th, 2020, after a long battle with Lewy Body Disease and more recently Coronavirus.

She was born, October 22, 1933 in Montreal, Quebec to John Bernard Kelly and Alice Coleman Kelly, she was the third of eight children.  Maureen spent a lifetime taking care of others.  She was a special woman who left imprints on the hearts of every person she met.  Her generosity, kindness and thoughtfulness were shared with so many.  She was the life of the party and an angel on earth.

Maureen began working at the young age of 15 to help support her family as her father was left in a wheelchair due to Rheumatoid Arthritis.  While working at Dun & Bradstreet Montreal, she completed her high school diploma at night.

At a family friend’s wedding, Maureen met Leslie Gartshore, the love of her life.  Leslie brought with him four young children that Maureen fell in love with as well.  Married for 57 years, Maureen and Leslie had a love that few couples could rival.

Maureen’s life was so very busy, a newly wed with four children and then pregnant with her first child, but she never complained.  She did it all with an infectious smile and tireless energy.

Maureen’s career began again, this time in Chomedey, Laval, once her children were old enough.  She worked at Miracle Mart and McDonald’s, when her husband was on strike, then Salon Coronet on Cartier Blvd., then to Inside Sales Manager at Rol Manufacturing for 20 years. Maureen retired from Rol in February 1996.

Maureen was an avid bowler and was a member of the Holy Name of Jesus League that played at the Recreatheque in Chomedey for many years.  Many laughs were had over stories of bringing frozen turkeys from Plattsburgh, NY for the league’s Christmas party.  She spent years of Thursday’s with her friends at the Holy Name of Jesus’ senior club for tea, bingo and lots of laughs.

Family was everything to Maureen.  All family events happened at Maureen and Leslie’s.  Though they had the smallest house, no one ever complained as they packed in for a birthday party, Christmas party, baby/wedding shower or any other time a get together was warranted.  Saturday night’s watching Hockey Night in Canada, Grey Cup parties, playing 500 with her brother Gerry, enjoying Bernice’s pool, phone calls with Auntie Barbara, dinners out with Patsy & Jacques, Oka beach with Johnny, summer vacation at Lake Hughes and Mom and Dad jitterbugging together are memories that won’t soon be forgotten.

In 1982, Maureen and Leslie bought a summer home near Lake Champlain in the tiny town of Willsboro, NY.  Cherished memories from these times as their family grew with in-laws and grandchildren, all were welcome and there was always plenty of everything for everyone.

Maureen is survived by her husband, Leslie Gartshore, her five children, Neil (Dorothy) of Oakville, Ontario, Dave (Anne-Marie) of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Brian (Nichole) of Mascouche, Quebec, Lorraine (Brian) of Cowansville, Quebec and Laura (Lonnie) of Peru, New York.  Her grandchildren Korbin, Kim (Adam), Kyle (Michiko), Caroline (Kaige), Catherine, Jennifer, Matthew, Amanda (Jordan), Marie-Josee and Trevor.  Her great-grandchildren, Eve, Gabriel, Rose, Oona and Sage, with more on the way.  Her brother John (Rachelle) and sisters Barbara and Eileen and many nieces, nephews, friends and a special sister-in-law Flora.

She was predeceased by her parents, two brothers, James and Gerald and two sisters, Bernice and Patricia, as well as several brothers-in-law and one nephew.

Maureen will be dearly missed; her absence will leave a hole in the hearts of many.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Old Brewery Mission.

We lost our loving Dad, Leslie (Les) David Gartshore on Wednesday, June 17 2026 (children Neil, David, Brian, Lorraine and Laura). He passed quietly at the Montreal Ste. Anne’s Veterans Hospital where he resided for the last 2 years. Dad made it to 98 years old, a true Ironman in all ways.

Dad was one of nine children, now with only older sister Flora Labelle remaining. He grew up in Montreal’s West End, home to a hard working, Blue Collar, tough Neighborhood; reflective of the Generation which grew up in Montreal through the 1920’s and 30’s. Dad’s parents made the move from Scotland (Grandma Mary ex Edinburgh and Grandpa Neil ex Glasgow) in the early 1900’s. Dad’s Scottish heritage certainly was evident in many of his traits, notably when it involved lending money to his children (not). Yet, he was so very generous in other ways, especially when it came to donating his time to coaching his children’s teams in various sports; Hockey, Football and his created League of Flag Football for Girls (a man way ahead of the times).

Like many of his friends in that era of War, Dad signed up to join World War II at the young age of 16. He then served on The Tenora as a Merchant Marine from April 12, 1945 until August 30, 1945. Dad was awarded various Medals for his dedicated Service.

Dad met the love of his life, Maureen Claire Kelly, at  a wedding in 1963. As if it was meant to be, Mom’s mother Alice Kelly, who was good friends with Auntie Anne Gartshore, asked Mom to accompany Granny Kelly to our cousin Shirley’s wedding. They immediately fell in love and married later that same year. The newly wed Mom immediately took on Leslie’s four children without blinking an eye and the family grew to 7, as Laura came into the world in 1964. Maureen and Leslie were the perfect couple, each with their own unique strengths. “Dad was the engine and Mom the heart.”

Life was not easy for the young, growing family, and literally lived check to check. The family on both our Mom and Dad’s side, helped in many ways – from dropping by at Christmas with gifts (including used Hockey Gear) to offering up my Uncle Neil Gartshore’s Country Home on Lake Hughes for a most welcomed few weeks of Summer / Lake activities. “Family first, always” was certainly the motto of the entire Gartshore Clan.

Dad began his 37 year career at Armstrong Cork in 1956, and with the help of Mom’s part time work and the Boy’s newspaper routes, they made ends meet. None of us can ever recall doing without. Beginning in 1976, life became much easier for the family as Maureen began her 20-year career at Rol Manufacturing. Then, with two secure salaries and the children finding their own respective ways in the work world, Mom and Dad could finally afford to buy a place of their own.

In 1982, Mom and Dad’s dream of owning a summer home became true – buying property just off Lake Champlain, near the Town of Willsboro, NY. Whether it be at 631 Henri Bourassa in Chomedey, or in Willsboro, NY, Mom and Dad’s was the Party House. All were invited and there always seemed to be plenty for all. Hockey Games, Grey Cups, Olympics, Christmas, come one, come all. The Grandchildren still cherish their time spent at the Willsboro Cottage.

Besides being a super Dad and Husband, Dad’s legacy includes many major accomplishments, including establishing the CNTU’s Union at Armstrong Cork and serving as their Vice President through the Union’s early formative years, and, being one of the original Founders of the Chomedey Blues Football Organization. In 1967, Dad’s efforts culminated in great joy with the Chomedey Blues winning The Provincial Pee Wee Championship.

In terms of other activities, Dad quit smoking at 45 years old and became an avid runner, logging 20-25 miles a week. Mom and Dad loved bowling at the Recreatheque on Wednesday evenings, where they hosted the Church League (Mom practiced her Faith at Holy Name of Jesus in Chomedey). The scores were secondary to the laughs and good times had by all. And lastly, despite Dad growing up in Montreal and living in and around the City his entire life, he absolutely loved the Boston Bruins. We always held the Annual Family Hockey Wager; Dad pulling for the Bruins, Neil for the Leafs, Mom for the Senators and Dave for the Habs. Ribbing each other was the ultimate payoff.

We will miss our Dad tremendously – he gave us everything we needed growing up and always emphasized the need to stand up for ourselves, do one’s best, no excuses and make a difference. If successful vs these attributes, all in life will fall into place. Dad mentioned to us a number of times, “if your Children love you as much as my Children love me, consider yourself a very lucky Parent.”

Les Gartshore is survived by his sister Flora (Labelle) and 5 children Neil (Dorothy), David (Anne-Marie), Brian (Nicole), Lorraine (Brian) and Laura (Lonnie). His 10 grandchildren – Kimberley (Adam), Caroline (Kaige), Marie-Josee, Kyle (Michiko), Matthew, Amanda (Jordan), Korbin, Trevor, Catherine and Jennifer. His 8 great grandchildren – Eve, Gabriel, Rose, Oona, Sage, Autumn, Loxley and Azalea.

Dad’s and Mom’s Celebration of Life is being held at Voluntas Commemoration inc., at 4695, Boul. St-Jean, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Qc, H9H 2A7, on Saturday, October 17th from 1:30 pm to 7 pm.

All donations can be made in Dad’s Name to the Veteran’s Hospital in Ste. Anne’s.