Zelinda LeBoutillier

Zelinda LeBoutillier CEO of Waterloo Gardens, age 76, died peacefully at her home in Exton on October 7, 2011. She was the only daughter of James and Anna Paolini of Devon, PA, who founded Waterloo Gardens in 1942. Zelinda married Roberts (Bo) LeBoutillier, former President and CEO of Waterloo Gardens, in 1951. They had shared 49 years of marriage at the time of his passing in October of 2001. Though Zelinda served on many boards and contributed to the community in so many ways, what she was really known for was her generous heart. She was called "Mama Linda" affectionately by many because she truly was a mother to all. At Waterloo Gardens, she founded "The Cooking School," which operated from 1980-1985 and she wrote a cookbook called Cooking with Fresh Herbs. She was very involved in the management of Waterloo Gardens including purchasing, hiring, and marketing. She was the first woman chosen to serve on the Retailer Magazine panel. She traveled the country speaking to Nursery and Garden Center associations on Marketing in the industry. She also served on the Board of the Pennsylvania Nursery Association and was a very active member of the Marketing Committee. The Wall Street Journal quoted her on the first page with regard to industry market trends. Zelinda LeBoutillier is listed in the 1990 edition of Who's Who in American Executives. Zelinda was an active philanthropist. She received the Harold Martin Leadership Award from the Exton Chamber of Commerce in 2007. She also received the 2005 Citizen of the Year Award from the Berwyn-Devon Business and Professional Association. Boards Zelinda served on include: ALS Hope Foundation, Cabrini College, Bishop Shanahan High School, and Williamson School. She was also the State Chairperson for The American Family Institute: Gift of Time and the West Whiteland Chairperson for the American Heart Foundation. Community was very important to Zelinda; she was a Girl Scout Leader for 10 years and served on the board of Freedom Valley Girl Scouts. She was also Treasurer of Daylesford Abbey Woman's Guild and President of Sts. Philip and James Mother's Club. Zelinda was very active in the Calvary Fellowship Church. She joined the Ventures Group and supported many mission trips and local community events to help children. She is survived by her five children: Linda Anne, Roberts D, Rene, Susan, and Elise LeBoutillier. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Joshua and Heather Davis, Michael Jensen, Beau and Lauren LeBoutillier, Francesco Moscia and one great-granddaughter, Abigail Mankes. The family will receive visitors at Calvary Fellowship Church, 95 Devon Drive and Route 113 in Lionville on October 13 from 4 PM to 8 PM. There will also be a viewing October 14 from 9-10:30 AM followed by the funeral service beginning at 11AM. Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery, West Chester. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Lord's Pantry of Downingtown, 141 East Lancaster Avenue, Downingtown, PA 19335, Lordspantryof downingtown.org; or to ALS Hope Foundation, 1333 Race Street Suite 202, Phila, PA, 19107, Alshopefoundation.org. To send online condolences, visit www.jamesterryfuneral home.com.