of Little Rock, AR
January 8, 1932 - April 14, 2024
Maria Blanca Leake, née Cebado, born January 8, 1932, died Sunday, April 14, 2024, at the age of 92, of natural causes. She was preceded in death by her parents Agustin and Esperanza, and her siblings Manuel, Esperanza, Agustin, Enrique, Gloria, Ileana, and her beloved husband Dennis.
Maria was born in Mexico City and attended Maddox Academy. As a young girl she loved to dance traditional Mexican folk dances and perform skits in elaborate costumes. She worked for the Coca-Cola Company as an Executive Secretary and modeled in Coke advertisements before her marriage to Dennis Leake, an Englishman also working for Coca-Cola who met Blanca on a business trip to Mexico.
Blanca became a naturalized British citizen before traveling the world with her husband. Dennis's work took them to the Far East, and their young and growing family lived in Australia, the Philippines, and Japan. Blanca and Dennis moved to the United States and settled in Atlanta, GA, upon their retirement in 1990.
Upon Dennis's passing in 1992, Blanca moved to Little Rock in 2003 to be near her eldest son, Stephen, and his family. She was a faithful parishioner of Christ the King Catholic Church. She became a US citizen in 2005. She was involved in charitable causes, particularly for cancer, as she herself was a two-time breast cancer survivor.
Blanca loved her family and her Lord fiercely. She possessed and radiated an uncommon grace.
She is survived by her children Stephen (63), Mark (61), Paul (60), Denise (56), and Peter (52), as well as her grandchildren, Michael (29), Paul (27), Stephanie (26), Nicola (26), Ileana (26), Thomas (24), Nina (23), Anna-Blanca (22), James (22), Leyla (22), and Isabella (21).
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 2:00pm Friday, April 26, 2024, at Christ the King Catholic Church, Little Rock. A visitation will be Thursday, April 25, 2024, from 6:30pm - 7:30pm, Christ the King.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, those so inclined make a contribution to their favorite charity in Blanca's name.
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20 Condolence(s)
Shireen Sepahi & Family
Friday, April 26, 2024
Dear Family,
Our hearts are with you today as you say goodbye to that truly inspirational woman, your mother, grandmother, and known to us as "Grandma Leake." We feel blessed to have known her and will be forever grateful for the beautiful legacy she leaves behind.
We love you all so much and will be here for you always.
Judith van Cuijck
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Dear Denise and family,
My sincere condolences . I remember your mother from my childhood times in Japan. She was sweet, warm and caring . Then years later we met again in Dubai . It was truely nostalgic to see you Denise and your mother .
These are happy memories that i will cherish .
Wishing you all lots of strength .hugs Judith and Jos
Regina Williams
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
I just wanna start out by saying to the family. I just want to say thank you for giving me the opportunity to work with your mom Love on your mom. The most of all I want to say I sent my deepest sympathy to the whole family. Blanca lived a beautiful life. She was full of life. I love to hear her sing laugh. I love the conversations most of all I loved how her children loved on her I’m gonna miss her so much. She’s in a better place. She has a brand new body and she’s free from Pain and no longer suffering I love you, Blanca and I’m gonna miss you. I want you to take this time to rest because you deserve it. You fought your fight and your battle was one. I love you again and I love the family as well. You all take care and may God bless you all.
Kathryn Adams
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
What an honor it was to meet Mrs. Leake on the few occasions that I had the privilege of conversing with her. She had a twinkle in her eyes and her bright beautiful soul just beamed at you with her smile. She was a rare and precious gift to this World. A true gem! I’m forever grateful I got to meet her. My deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to all of her family and friends. You are in my prayers. Blessings to you all.
Judith and Bob Williams
Monday, April 22, 2024
Deepest condolences. So very sorry for your loss.
Karin Schreiber de Cebado
Monday, April 22, 2024
Dear all Leake cousins,
Our hearts are deeply moved with the passing of Tia Blanchis.
We had the honor and privilege to have her in our lives. Tia Blanchis leaves a great loving legacy full of kindness and love to all.
Heartfelt prayers and may her soul rest in peace now. God bless you all.
Alesa Garner
Monday, April 22, 2024
Blanca was one of the volunteers for New Outlook Cancer Program at CHI St Vincent and I am the manager. Her laugh and sense of humor was delightful and her compassion for those newly diagnosed with cancer was healing. She spoke lovingly of her family.
May your memories bring you smiles. May the peace of God comfort your hearts and minds.
Bahram & Leyla
Monday, April 22, 2024
You brought warmth and wisdom to all who knew you. Your memory will forever inspire us. Rest peacefully, surrounded by love.
María del Carmen Cebado
Monday, April 22, 2024
Querida tia Blanchis, gracias por tu cariño y por tu ejemplo de vida, por siempre hacer que te sintiera cercana a pesar de la distancia.
Celebro tu vida y sé que ya estás disfrutando con todos tus seres queridos que partieron antes que tú.
Descansa en paz.
Primos pido a Dios les dé suficiente amor y fortaleza para que junto con sus familias puedan sobrellevar la irreparable falta de su mamá. Les mando todo mi cariño en un enorme abrazo.
Mary Carmen Cebado Sanchez.
Sue, Simon, and Ava
Monday, April 22, 2024
Denise,
We are very sorry for your loss of your mother. As you know, 7 years ago, Ava and I had the honor in meeting your very loving mother in Arkansas. I remember how she treated Ava as if she was her own grandchild. Amongst other things I’ll always remember your mom as being vibrant, happy, and loving. I know she was very much loved by you and your family. God will be taking care of her now in her home.
Kathy Adkisson
Monday, April 22, 2024
Dear Family,
I offer my condolences for the loss of your dear Mother, Blanca. She was my neighbor at Countrywood. She was the most gracious and generous woman and shared that love with me when she lived her. I will forever remember her kindness & support for me. You are all so blessed, as I am to have been encouraged by her.
Much love & prayers,
Kathy Adkisson
Sandra Ousley
Monday, April 22, 2024
Love and miss you always Blanca.
Shaker and maryvy
Monday, April 22, 2024
Dear Denise and family, we only had the opportunity to meet your mom once, and she was so sweet, friendly and kind to us. A very happy person. Words will not ease your pain, I know, but your faith and the beautiful memories will give you comfort to accept that she is now in a better place together with your dad. May you find solace during these difficult time. We love you and we are with you spiritually.
Ashaunti pansy
Sunday, April 21, 2024
I send my deepest condolences and prayers thank y’all for giving me the opportunity to take care of your beautiful mother/grandmother .I love y’all and I’m really going to miss the family and of course my beautiful Maria Blanca
Alejandro Cebado
Sunday, April 21, 2024
Tia Blanchis, we are going to miss you dearly. Karin, our sons and myself celebrate having you in our lives, with that special energy and love that surrounded you every time. Thank you for always being there for us with a word of encouragement, happiness in your voice and a dearly felt love.
Cousins, our deepest condolences, we will keep all of you and your families in our prayers, asking Our Lord for strength for you and to honor her life. May God continues to bless you all.
Abrazos con mucho cariño.
Adriana
Sunday, April 21, 2024
Tía Blanchis descansa en Paz.
Te mandamos todo nuestro amor, estoy segura que feliz estás pues ya regresaste al lado de tus hermanos, esposo y papás.
Siempre serás recordada por todos nosotros con mucho amor.
Te mando un beso hasta el cielo.
Mary Carmen Villa Cebado
Sunday, April 21, 2024
Tía Blanchis, siempre te recordaré con mucho cariño!
La última de los Cebado Trejo...
Un abrazo a toda la familia y mis condolencias!
Ileana (Maqui) Skorlich Cebado
Sunday, April 21, 2024
Querida tía Blanchis, ya estás en paz, junto a tu amado esposo, cerca de Dios y de tus seres queridos, con tu Twin (cuata) Ileana, bailando flamenco. Fuiste una guerrera, amorosa, nunca te rendiste. Queridos primos, los abrazo desde mi corazón.
Bruno de Britto
Saturday, April 20, 2024
My deepest condolences to the Leake family for the loss of their mother. Peter and I date back now 47 years, since the 1st grade at St. Mary’s, my first friend at school. This is also how long Mrs. Leake has been a second mother to me. Always giving her 120% love and attention to me just as she did to her own children. Words cannot explain how loving, caring, kind and energetic she was with me and the de Britto family. She embraced our family as if it were her own. We will never forget her existence and she will always be in our heart and prayers. Though I will miss her soft & kind voice calling me “Bruno chan” I am sure she is happy to be reuniting with Mr. Leake now. Please rest in peace and may God bless you and the family.
Paula Miller-LaBarge
Saturday, April 20, 2024
I was so very sorry to hear about Blanca's passing. I saw the photo on Facebook from her recent birthday party. It appears that she had some health challenges, but she looked very happy to have all of her children there with her. I have very fond memories of visiting in Atlanta and a very wet Bonnie Raitt concert! She was an amazing woman and I know that she is at peace being reunited with her husband and other family members. I am sending good thoughts to the whole family.