Jolene Mary LeDuc

Jolene Mary LeDuc
In Loving Memory of
(September 29, 1950 – January 25, 2026

Jolene Mary LeDuc, born on September 29, 1950, in Southampton, New York, was a woman of firm conviction, tireless work ethic, and deep faith. The daughter of James C. Schunk and Charlotte Glen Schunk, she lived a life defined by service to others and a reverence for the natural world.

Jolene was a firm believer in Jesus Christ, walking closely with her Lord and Savior throughout her life. A recipient of the Catholic & Apostolic Sacrament of Confirmation, her spiritual life was the foundation upon which she lived. On July 31, 1971, she married Herbert Robert LeDuc at the United Methodist Church in East Quogue, New York, beginning a lifelong partnership until his death in 2013. In her later years, Jolene found deep companionship and joy in her friendship and partnership with Chuck Cote. Over the last decade, they shared a bond built on mutual respect and a shared love for a simple, honest life.

Professionalism and compassion defined her career. After graduating from the St. John's Episcopal Hospital School of Nursing in Brooklyn, New York, in 1971, Jolene dedicated 60 years to nursing and caretaking. Her calling took her across the country, where she provided care to many communities. From the East Coast of New York, New Jersey, and Maine, to the warmth of Florida, New Mexico, and Arizona, and finally to the rugged beauty of Idaho and Montana, Jolene left a legacy of care wherever she went.

Despite her busy career, Jolene was deeply connected to the land. She found joy in painting, gardening and raising livestock, including chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, pigs, rabbits and cattle. She was also a skilled and certified hunter, holding both bowhunter and National Rifle Association certifications. Above all her outdoor pursuits, she held a special place in her heart for her dogs, who were her constant and beloved companions. Jolene will be remembered as a woman who believed in keeping things simple, honoring her word with action and is leaving behind a legacy of hard work, unshakeable faith, and integrity.

Jolene was preceded in death by her husband, Herb LeDuc, and her parents, James and Charlotte Schunk. Jolene is survived by her partner, Chuck Cote; Chuck's daughter and son-in-law, Samantha and Krystian Banuet; her dear friends, Lacey (Taylor) Thompson, Jess (Jon) Ames; and her cherished spiritual grandchildren, Nico and Zoey. She also leaves behind her brother, Jim Schunk (Cindy), and her sister, Laura Spott (Schunk).

A celebration of life will be held at Mountain Springs Church in Bonners Ferry on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 2:00 PM. Arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg and Riddle Funeral Home of Libby, MT. Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.