This obituary is protected by copyright by MacCoubrey Funeral Home Limited. Proudly serving Northumberland County in the province of Ontario, Canada. All rights reserved.
Died peacefully and with dignity on December 16, 2020 in Cobourg. Predeceased by her loving husband, Dr. Robert Griffiths (Bud) Leckey in 2002 and their son Robert in 2020. Loving mother of their son Griffiths (Jane) and daughter Jane Leckey. Fondly remembered by their granddaughter Melissa (Cole Petersen).
Also predeceased by her sister Gwen and her brothers Alexander and William. Survived by her sister-in-law Helen Wagenaar, many nieces and nephews, and her faithful Scottish Terrier, Jennie Mackenzie.
Molly was a graduate of the Toronto General Hospital School of Nursing and always maintained her interest in the nursing profession. She felt a strong need to make meaningful contributions to her community, and volunteered in the Emergency Department at the Northumberland Hills Hospital until earlier this year, when COVID-19 prevented volunteer activities.
Like Bud, Molly was passionate about nature and family. After a long search, the pair found a deserted old farm in Northumberland County in 1962. It required many years of restoration before being habitable, and they moved from Toronto to their treasured farm "Strabane" in 1990. The farm was designated as a Heritage Property by the Township of Cramahe Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee in 1998. In 2008, Molly and family pursued Conservation Status of a large acreage through the Northumberland Land Trust (NLT) to ensure the land will remain undeveloped and pristine for coming generations in memory of Bud. It is now managed by the NLT and known as the Leckey Nature Reserve.
No flowers, please. If desired, contributions to the NLT (Stewardship Funding) in memory of Molly would be greatly appreciated and help the NLT manage and maintain all its properties. www.nltrust.ca, or PO Box 1153, Cobourg, ON K9A 5A4.
Given the COVID situation, there will be no celebration of life at this time. Private arrangements entrusted to MacCoubrey Funeral Home.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Land Trust
When I think of Molly I think of so many women, all kind good women. My Mom, knew Gwen and Molly for years. I loved being with these women and listening to them. As I got older I got to know Molly well, we both had similar interests in the out of doors. She always had a kind smile and an open mind. I will miss Molly very much, she is one of those women of Northumberland that made a difference here. I am so sorry to read this.
On behalf of myself and the Board of Directors of Ten Thousand Villages in Cobourg, we send our condolences upon hearing this sad news. We enjoyed the times of discussing Molly's passion for oriental rugs with her in the store and during the installation of some purchases in her home. Wishing the family love and the blessing of memories during this difficult time.
A very lovely lady. Our condolences.
I wasn't blessed with the opportunity to meet Molly, but I know of her incredible strength, fierce independence, grand sense of adventure, and deep kindness and generosity through the stories I've heard of her. In addition to these stories, I also know her through the legacy of her daughter, who demonstrates all those qualities and is a deeply loving daughter who will keep Molly's memory alive in her spirit, words and deeds. Sending love and healing to all of Molly's family and friends.
Dear Griff and Jane, I am so sorry to hear of Molly's passing. She was such a lovely lady who I cared about and am blessed to have known her. Grooming her beloved Jenny was a pleasure to me and I will always treasure the memory of your Mum. You have my deepest condolences.
Condolences to the family: Jane, Griff & Jane and extended family. Molly will live on in those she left behind. We remember her fondly for her elegant, brave and graceful way of handling life. I always enjoyed talking with her when seeing her in action at the emergency ward at Northumberland Hills Hospital. I will miss her. I enjoyed talking on the phone and letting her know that Zeke cat was enjoying her farm life with the Cole’s. Rest In Peace.
My sincere condolences. I thought a great deal about this amazing woman. Back in 2012 I was close to putting an offer in for the amazing property in Castleton. Because of the vision I had which required a small number of small cabins and gazebos and the restrictions imposed by the easement I did not put the offer in. I met Molly a few other times after including when I hosted Dr. Diana Beresford-Kroeger in Cobourg. Molly attended the film "The Call of the Forest: The Forgotten Wisdom of Trees". She spoke with me after (and with Diana) mentioning she wished I had the property - in many ways I wish so too. I'm delighted she found the Book "Speaking for the Trees" which she bought at that event last year a real page turner. Many will miss this gracious, intelligent woman. I certainly will. My very best to the family.
My heart goes out to Jane and Griff! Molly was my first friend in the neighborhood when I moved to Ontario. She was always a thoughtful, kind, non-judge mental friend. Her family was always her first priority-she was very proud of her kids. The memory of your mother will always be here on the farm with our family. Hugs to you all
Please accept my most heartfelt sympathies for your loss. What a great lady and what an amazing life. She was really important part of my Canada 's life. She will live in my heart. Thinking of all your family.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Land Trust
I will miss my true friend terribly. She was a grand person.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Land Trust
To the Leckey family: So very sorry for the loss of your Mom. She was my Mom’s first cousin (Lola) and I have had some nice conversations and a couple of visits with her since my Mom’s passing. She will be missed and thought of fondly!
To the Leckey family: So very sorry for the loss of your Mom. She was my Mom’s first cousin (Lola) and I have had some nice conversations and a couple of visits with her since my Mom’s passing. She will be missed and thought of fondly!
On behalf of the Northumberland Land Trust I wish to express our deepest sympathies to the family of Molly on your and our loss. Molly and her late husband Bud were great lovers of nature, and our land trust was extremely appreciative of her gift in establishing a conservation easement in 2008 on the land they owned in the Township of Cramahe near Morganston. One of Molly's favourite activities was traveling the trails on her property on her golf cart; she was excited to tell us of the time she encountered a mother bear with cubs! The Leckey Nature Reserve includes rolling hills, wetlands, woodlands and a drumlin on the eastern tip of the Oak Ridges Moraine. Molly will be dearly missed by us all. Yours most sincerely, Robert Fishlock, President, Northumberland Land Trust.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Land Trust
Grif and Jane I am so honored to have met your Mother. Molly and I started volunteering at Northumberland Hills Hospital emergency department the same week in April 2013. What a pleasure to have had her companionship over the last seven plus years. I will miss her compassion, lively conversations and just knowing that she was just a telephone call away.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Land Trust
To Molly’s family, Although I do not know you, I knew your dear Mum through my Mum, Binty Robertson. The last time I saw Molly was at my Mum’s Celebration of Life, almost four years ago. She was a dear, sweet lady and am sure she will be missed. I am thinking about you all. Treasure the happy memories. Sincerely, Rosemary Bassett
Jane -- I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. From the stories you had shared with me, your mother sounded like a force of nature. I will continue to keep you and your family in my prayers. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Molly was a former neighbour on University East and a lovely lady. We are saddened to hear of her passing and our thoughts are with her family during this difficult time.
Molly will be at peace. She was able to be at Strabane one last time and be on the trails she and Bud made that will endure for future generations. Lee & Roselynn Brown (related to Strabane now)
Our sincere condolences to your family Griff and Jane regarding the loss of Rob and now your mother"Molly". We received a lovely letter after Rob's passing and will treasure it. We were across the street neighbors. Azard expressed it well.
So sorry for your loss. I met Molly at our Probus Club and also drove her sometimes to her appointments. What a delightful lady.
I am so sorry for your loss Jane and Griff. Your Mom was such a lovely lady. In the short time i knew her, Molly was always so full of light. I send my deepest condolences to you both and your family.
Molly (or Mrs.Leckie as I knew her) was a treasured member of the Scottish Dancing group that my parents belonged to. I believe that Bud was in medical school at U of T with my father (Prendy/Dr P) after the war. I will always remember those nights when the group would arrive at our home, in their Scottish finery, and dance the night away (with Dr. McNeil calling out instructions). She was one of the loveliest women I have ever known; kind, thoughtful, sweet and gentle. I was only at their home in the country once but it really was a tribute to Dr. And Mrs. Leckie's love of nature. I struck up a friendship with their son Rob after a chance meeting and spoke to her when I heard of his passing. She was devasted by the loss of her son, who had been a devoted companion. My sincere condolences to the family, I know she will be missed.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Land Trust
Molly was our cherished friend & neighbour for almost 20 years. She showed us all how to live with love, joy, kindness, humour & compassion. Molly was a ‘class act’ who enjoyed laughter as much as did her beloved Bud & ‘the kids.’ And... she adored dogs! Truly, Molly was a magnificent, accomplished, fearless, wise & wondrous person. Indeed, we are blessed & grateful for having known the whole Leckey family. Dear Molly will always be in our hearts & our memories. Griff & Jane, we send you our love & support- always. Kelly, Marcus, Dan & Shannon
Molly leaves a strong legacy of kindness and support for her family, friends and community. She will be missed.
Sending love and hugs to Jane, Griff and families in the loss of your Mom and Grandma during this time. Molly was a gentle soul and a great neighbor on Morganston Road. I will remember the great time I had when Bud and Molly had a reception/barn dance in their new barn!! I will remember the tour she gave me of her beautiful red brick farmhouse at the end of a long treed lane. I remember our conversations when we finally put our family connection together through the Rutherford Clan. Rest in peace Molly.
Enjoy the next chapter, Thank you for everything Molly...i knew you along time ago, but a bitter sweet got me to know you a bit better the last few months...after your son, my great friend and neighbor passed..i appreciate the little things i could do to brighten your day...i have so much respect for you most will never know...i understand now where your son Rob got his likeable personality from. Rest well sweet Molly enjoy that scotch with Rob and Bud..hopefully i can have one with yous again one day... thank you again i was a fortunate person to know you and very grateful. Bye for now 🕊
I am deeply saddened to hear of Molly’s passing and offer my sincere condolences to Jane and Griff and the rest of her family. Always so gracious, Molly enriched the lives of everyone who knew her and the community in which she lived. I will always remember her for her kindness and gentle nature. She was a treasure who will be greatly missed.
I met Molly at our Northumberland Probus Club. What a lovely lady. I'm sorry for your loss.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Land Trust
I remember years ago hiking with the Pine Ridge Hiking Club through the property and Molly invited everyone back to the house for coffee and cookies - she even gave us a tour of the old farmhouse. What a great lady - she will be missed.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Land Trust
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Land Trust
Sending our condolences to the family. Molly was a beautiful kind lady and her and Bud were great neighbours when still on the farm . She will be fondly remembered by us . The Rykens
Molly's Family: My sincere condolences on the loss of your mother. My maiden name was McGuire and we all grew up on Telephone Road, Colborne. Our families were very close , lots of memories. Your grandmother was one of our teachers and we all knew your grandfather as Shaw. More recently we were both members of NHH auxillary and Probus Club. Molly and your Dad were very special people . The last time I spoke with Molly she confided her diagnosis and asked that I not discuss it with anyone and I asked for her to call if I could help in any way. Wonderful lady. Marg
Mrs. Leckey was such a sweet person and an instant friend to everyone she spoke to. She was a neighbor of ours in Castleton where we met her and Mr. Leckey in 1993. Although we didn't know them well, we did enjoy many friendly conversations with them over the years. R.I.P. Miss Molly.
God bless you dear lady. Was given the pleasure of meeting this gracious lady when I delivered flowers to her at her home just north of Castleton. Her gentle kindness leaves me a wonderful memory.u
Always loved dealing with molly when she came into pine ridge nursery . Hope heaven sends us another angel like her....RIP molly
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Land Trust
A dear friend of both my wife Mary and myself.We had known her since we were children and will miss her deeply.
Our sincere condolences in the loss of Molly. A great church friend & neighbor and a distant relative to my father MacKenzie Haig. My family sincere condolences what a gym and one of the sweetest volunteers at Northumberland hills Hospital. I will miss your smile in the halls and our little chats Molly. Jeanie Haig & ALL of the Haig family 😘
Dear Griff and Jane... I'm so very sorry to hear about your Mom, Molly. She was a wonderful lady and so gracious and welcoming. Molly was such an interesting lady and she always spoke of you both and Robert, with such love. She was also a true lover of her scotties and I know how much Jenny meant to her. I'm truly sad for your loss and if there is anything that we can do to help you, please call on us.
My deepest sympathy on the loss of this sweet wonderful lady. A true treasure.
Im so sorry to hear of your beloved mother Molly. She was the sweetest lady, always had a smile and a hello when she came into no frills... She would always say hello Griff's friend. Griff I am terribly sorry please know my thoughts are with you at this time. I know how special your mom was to you..
The Board members and staff of Northumberland United Way would like to offer our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss. We have appreciated Mrs. Leckey's generosity and commitment to the community over the years. Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.