Wife. Mother. Mémère. Companion. Friend. Rachel B. (Leblanc) L'Heureux meant so much to those who knew her. While she left the physical world on Monday, May 20, 2024, age 92, she will forever remain in our memories and in our hearts.

Born in Gardner, MA on December 30, 1931, to the late Joseph "Donat" and Edith (Maillet) LeBlanc, she spent most of her childhood being raised by nuns in a convent in New Hampshire. This upbringing was most obvious by the fact that her worst swear word was "monsieur".

In her late teens, Rachel met Raoul "Ralph" L'Heureux of New Bedford, MA, who was dating her best friend Pauline at the time. Awkwardness ensued as Ralph not so secretly wanted to date Rachel instead. As time went on, she eventually gave in. Ralph and Rachel got engaged in July of 1950 and married shortly after on November 11, 1950 at St. Joseph's Church in New Bedford, MA. The acronym written in their bridal book, and many years later engraved on their tombstone, was M.L.F.Y.C.S.A.I.R., which stands for "my love for you can split an iron rail".

As the years went on, Rachel and Ralph's love and family continued to grow. They had four daughters: Rose-Marie, born on June 19, 1953; Rachel-Anne, born on September 17, 1956; Rita-Marie, born on June 22, 1958; and Robbin (with two B's because she's not a bird), born on February 3, 1961. To their family and friends, they were known as the "6 R's".

Rachel and Ralph loved their children dearly. They raised them on music and musicals. The "6 R's" could have rivaled any famous family band of the time, especially in their matching outfits, which were always handmade by Rachel. Rachel was also a self-taught keyboardist.

Rachel and Ralph owned and operated a donut / coffee shop in the 1960's called "Ralph and Rae's Coffee Shop". They also catered for

various events throughout the years. Starting in 1972, they participated in Cursillos, or "short courses in Christianity", where groups of people would gather over the course of three-day weekends to learn how to become effective Christian leaders. Starting in 1974, they participated in Marriage Encounters, weekend-long retreats helping other couples grow closer and deepen their love for each other.

The "6 R's" were a close-knit family, which made the sudden death of daughter Rita-Marie, on a fateful night in October of 1980, an even more unthinkable tragedy. But, like with any tragedy, you find ways to cope. One of the ways that Rachel coped with her grief was by caring for others. She was a personal care aide for many years, and also spent a countless amount of time caring for her five grandchildren, who were born between the years of 1976 and 1996.

After fifty five (55!) loving and fulfilling years of marriage, Ralph passed away on July 28, 2006 surrounded by family. Rachel grieved alongside her family but eventually took solace in long-time family friend Joseph "Joe" Levasseur of Manchester, NH, whose wife had also passed away around the same time and of a similar cause. As time went on, Rachel and Joe became close companions, splitting their time between Manchester, NH and Gulf Port, FL, and living a life of adventure until Joe's eventual passing on January 31, 2016.

Rachel spent the remainder of her life living with her two surviving daughters: first with Robbin in New Bedford, MA, and then with Rachel-Anne in West Wareham, MA in the home that Rachel and Ralph had previously owned since the mid-1970's. Even after all these years, Rachel and her daughters still connected via song, singing "A Bushel and a Peck" and "Bonjour, Mes Amis" every night before going to bed.

While she had her fair share of heartbreak throughout her life, her married name was L'Heureux, which is French for "the happy one", and

those that knew her would agree that this was a fitting name. She lived every day to the fullest, always with a smile on her face, and made the world a better place for everyone around her. She will be dearly missed.

Rachel is survived by two daughters, Rachel-Anne L'Heureux, and Robbin Gregory (and her husband Chuck); five grandchildren, Lisa Pimental (and her husband Scott), Joshua Pimental, Cory Gregory (and his husband Jack), Chuck Gregory (and his wife Erin), and Nikki Gregory; six great-grandchildren, Alex, Mackenzie, Aiva, Yvonne and Wayne Pimental, Carter Gregory, and a soon to be seventh. Rachel was the wife of the late Raoul "Ralph" L'Heureux, companion of the late Joseph "Joe" Levasseur, mother of the late Rose-Marie (L'Heureux) Desroches who died in 2004 after her fight with ovarian cancer and Rita-Marie L'Heureux, and sister of the late Romeo LeBlanc.

A Celebration of Life is planned for Friday, June 14, 2024 at 5 pm at New Seasons Worship Center in East Freetown, MA. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association by visiting alz.org.

Arrangements are by the Donaghy New Day Cremation and Funeral Care, 465 County Street, New Bedford.  For memorial register, please visit newdayfunerals.com.