Madeleine Leblanc Lenz, 90, passed away peacefully this morning in her own home with family and under the care of the Hospice of the Fisher Home and Applewood staff.
Madeleine “Madge” LeBlanc, daughter of Estelle & Jean, was born in Chicopee, February 2, 1928. She was raised in Chicopee & attended the College of Our Lady of the Elms. Madge married Robert “Bob” Lenz in 1953. They moved to Amherst in 1966 when Bob became a faculty member of UMass as a founding member of the Polymer Science & Engineering Program.
Madge was a devoted wife and mother who also volunteered at the Reception Desk of Cooley Dickinson Hospital for over 40 years. She was an avid golfer & bridge player, loved jigsaw puzzles, tennis, skiing, vacationing at Cape Cod & world travel shared with Bob and family. She was very active in the Applewood community. Madge will be remembered for her welcoming embrace, genuine friendliness & acceptance.
Madge was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Bob, who died in 2010. She is survived by her sisters Janie Brochu of South Hadley Falls and Terry & brother-in-law Ray Couture of Belchertown; son Douglas Lenz, his wife Karin Krasevac-Lenz (NY); daughters Kathy Cunningham, her husband Doyle (KY), Cindy Goodman, her husband Peter (MO), and Suzanne Lenz, her husband Jack Torres (NH); seven grandchildren, two great grandchildren & many nieces & nephews.
Calling hours will be Thursday January 10, from 4:00 – 6:00 pm at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday January 11, at the Newman Center at UMass Amherst, burial will be private. Memorial gifts in honor of Madge can be made to either the Robert W Lenz Scholarship at UMass or the Hospice of the Fisher Home of Amherst, MA.