Mary Leath Jansson "Lee" Mann

EAST SANDWICH — Mary Leath "Lee" (Gough) Jansson Mann, 85, of East Sandwich died Friday, April 10, 2009, at Mary McCarthy Care Center after a courageous battle with cancer.

She leaves her husband of 33 years, Phillip C. Mann; a son, Richard W. Jansson of Worcester; two daughters, Carol L. and her husband Charles Kennedy of Millbury, and Judith L. and her husband Doane Arnold of Kingston, N.H. She also leaves seven beloved grandchildren, Corey, Gretchen, Karen, Cody, Cary, Rory and Jesse; and five precious great-grandchildren, Tyler, Nathan, Ethan, Kyra and Jillian. Leath is also survived by a sister, Winifred L. Huberdault of Northborough; many cousins, nieces and nephews; and a goddaughter, Paula Bigelow of Webster. The list of friends who will miss her greatly is endless. She was predeceased by four brothers, William E. Gough Jr., Walter H. Gough, Raymond H. Gough and John B. Gough. Her former husband, Einar W. Jansson, died in 1965.

Born in Worcester on March 2, 1924, she was a daughter of the late William E. Sr. and Emma L. (Neiberger) Gough. Graduating from Auburn High School in 1941 as class secretary, "Peanut" was a natural athlete, playing basketball and softball and participating as a member of the track team. She lived in Auburn until 1973, when she moved to Cape Cod.

Lee was employed at State Mutual Life Assurance, Compton & Knowles, and Smith Valve Co., all of Worcester. She was also a hostess at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Sutton, and worked at other local restaurants too. After moving to Cape Cod, she worked for Sydenstricker Glass of Brewster and was an administrative assistant in the general houseware section of Colonial Candle of Cape Cod in Hyannis. Fiercely independent, she continued restaurant work in her "spare time."

Lee was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Brewster and their TLC Women's Group. She was a past president of the Ladies Auxiliary of the FRA and a member of the Sandwich Friends of Hospice, devoting many hours to fundraising, especially the "Ducky Dash." Her greatest joy in life was her family. She enjoyed planning family reunions, crossword puzzles and Scrabble, and was a Red Sox and Patriot fanatic.

The family would like to thank Dr. Victor Aviles and his staff, all the compassionate hospice caregivers both at home and the Mary McCarthy Center, and a special thank you to Janyce Edwards for her friendship and care for our mother.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 25, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1883 Main St., Brewster, with the Rev. James A. Krikava officiating. Interment will be at a later date, at the convenience of the family, in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in Leath's name to Hospice & Palliative Care of Cape Cod, 765 Attucks Lane, Hyannis, MA 02601.