Lois Leatham

With hearts full of both sorrow and gratitude, the family of Lois Leatham would like to announce her peaceful passing, in her 89^th year, on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 in London, Ontario. Beloved wife of Dr. T.R. Balakrishnan “Bala”, her soulmate and partner of 26 years. Dear mother of Andrea and Skip. Adored grandmother of Stacey, Eric, Marlo, Minnie, James, John and Brianne, and great-grandmother to Lincoln, Raegan and Vance. With grace and dignity, Lois slipped the bonds of earth to live within a firmament of stars and light. She was surrounded by the love of family, enjoying her familiar views of nature from the comfort of her own home. Lois will join those predeceasing her, particularly her cherished partners, James Hall Leatham (1995) and Walter Norman Dunn (1961); her parents, Frank (Francis Walter) and Connie (Constance Elizabeth Woodford) Leet; and her sister, Florence Towers (2020).

Lois was born in Hamilton, Ontario, and raised by loving, strict and deeply caring parents, a gift she came to appreciate in later years. She was educated in Hamilton, Ontario and became a nurse. Upon graduation she gained exceptional experience and intensive practice in maternal and child health under the guidance of leading specialists in Pediatrics and Obstetrics. She and her new husband, Walter Dunn, moved to London in the late 50s where she continued her nursing career at the old Victoria Hospital at South Street. Lois became a new mother in 1960, but soon after journeyed with her young husband on the path of his serious and terminal illness. She too quickly became a widow with an infant son. At only 25, she experienced all the difficulties of a single working mother, struggling to balance shiftwork, low-wages and affordable childcare. She gained a deep appreciation of the challenges of parenting alone, and greatly appreciated the gifts of family, friends and neighbours with warm and caring hearts, along with mentors, scholarships, bursaries and loans which allowed her to continue her nursing education while raising a young son.

Lois remarried in 1964 and added a daughter to the family. She deeply appreciated her new extended family and the fellowship of her church. At this time, Lois had the privilege of staying at home for a few years and built a home and community with families in her neighbourhood. She then embarked on a career in nursing at the Middlesex London Health Unit, devoted to community nursing, nursing supervision and management of maternal child health programs, until she retired in 1995. Lois was widowed again in 1995 after 32 wonderful years of marriage to James Leatham. She was, however, able to find love once again after a chance meeting with a recently retired Indian professor with whom she married and started a new life in a new home, and embraced more extended family. With Bala, Lois travelled the world and learned firsthand about the third world; it’s many beauties and challenges. The personal trials and joys of living and being in an entirely different culture offered more personal growth for Lois.

Lois enjoyed life enormously. Her varied interests and caring for others resulted in a large number of friends. She belonged to the Garden Club, Bridge Club, two book clubs and Probus, of which she was past president. She possessed a giving heart and sought always to help others, best evidenced by her involvement with her children and grandchildren. She was a pillar of strength, a beacon of love, and a true matriarch in every sense of the word. Her laughter was infectious, her hugs were warm, and her love knew no bounds. Lois had refined culinary skills and an artistic flare and hosted many events and feasts for families and friends. She lived in the present and found joy in flowers, sunsets, birds and just about everything in nature with great gusto. Lois enriched the lives of so many! We will miss her forever, but the lessons she has taught us and the boundless unconditional love she gave to all she knew will be her legacy.

Funeral service will be conducted at Westview Funeral Chapel, 709 Wonderland Road North, London on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., with visitation from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. For those unable to attend in person, a livestream of the service is available. Click on the words Remembering Lois below to register.

Remembering Lois

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in Lois’ memory are asked to consider My Sisters’ Place,  the Indwell Nurses for Housing Project or the Western Nursing Scholarship in her name.