A truly outstanding community figure, a friend and a devoted partner is the way many would describe Ann L'Heureux, who was named "Citizen of the Year" in 2003 by the Carlsbad City Council. Mrs. L'Heureux died Sunday, August 28 in her Carlsbad home at the age of 61.
The cause of death was breast cancer, which had metastasized to her bones, spine and kidneys. "At age 50, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and it was in remission for eight years,” her husband, Stephen "Hap" L'Heureux said. “Basically, from 2000, she’s been battling its recurrence.”
Mrs. L'Heureux is best known for her community service. In the late 1990s she proposed a no-leash dog park to accommodate pets denied access to the beach. “She persisted and countered arguments against it,” said Elaine Lyttleton, a longtime friend and former president of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. The park was dedicated in September 2001 on 13,200 acres east of El Camino Real and north of Carlsbad Village Drive. A second dog park is under construction at Alga Norte Park in southeastern Carlsbad, according to City Councilwoman Ann Kulchin.
Mrs. L'Heureux immersed herself in volunteer duties, beginning with the Carlsbad City Library archiving hundreds of historical photos and serving on the library’s board of trustees. She teamed with writer Marge Howard-Jones in a research project that produced “Seekers of the Spring: A History of Carlsbad,” published in 1982 and with Susan Gutierrez in writing “Beckett’s Walk through Carlsbad History,” which was aimed at third-graders. She served on the Carlsbad Planning Commission in 2003 and 2004; shared her love of gardening with fellow supporters of the Carlsbad Arboretum Foundation; was involved in Carlsbad Arts Associates and ArtSplash, an annual event to raise money for arts programs in Carlsbad schools and, as a form of cultural enrichment, opened her home to foreign exchange students.
Mrs. L’Heureux was born in Seattle, Washington and studied English, journalism and political science. She then moved to New York City to work in publicity and promotions for a small publishing house. It was in New York that she met and married her husband, Hap. The couple moved to the city of Carlsbad 33 years ago where Mrs. L'Heureux began two full time jobs, raising a family and participating in civic life.
Hap L'Heureux remembers that his wife was very determined from the beginning to get involved in the community. "When we got married, one of the bargains was: I would work and she would stay home, raise the family and be involved in volunteering and other community activities," Hap said.
Lyttleton, who has worked side by side with Mrs. L'Heureux on various volunteer projects, has begun contacting the city regarding renaming the dog park in Ann L'Heureux's honor saying it would be "the perfect tribute."
Mrs. L'Heureux is survived by her husband and a daughter, Stephanie L’Heureux of Osaka, Japan.
The cause of death was breast cancer, which had metastasized to her bones, spine and kidneys. "At age 50, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and it was in remission for eight years,” her husband, Stephen "Hap" L'Heureux said. “Basically, from 2000, she’s been battling its recurrence.”
Mrs. L'Heureux is best known for her community service. In the late 1990s she proposed a no-leash dog park to accommodate pets denied access to the beach. “She persisted and countered arguments against it,” said Elaine Lyttleton, a longtime friend and former president of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. The park was dedicated in September 2001 on 13,200 acres east of El Camino Real and north of Carlsbad Village Drive. A second dog park is under construction at Alga Norte Park in southeastern Carlsbad, according to City Councilwoman Ann Kulchin.
Mrs. L'Heureux immersed herself in volunteer duties, beginning with the Carlsbad City Library archiving hundreds of historical photos and serving on the library’s board of trustees. She teamed with writer Marge Howard-Jones in a research project that produced “Seekers of the Spring: A History of Carlsbad,” published in 1982 and with Susan Gutierrez in writing “Beckett’s Walk through Carlsbad History,” which was aimed at third-graders. She served on the Carlsbad Planning Commission in 2003 and 2004; shared her love of gardening with fellow supporters of the Carlsbad Arboretum Foundation; was involved in Carlsbad Arts Associates and ArtSplash, an annual event to raise money for arts programs in Carlsbad schools and, as a form of cultural enrichment, opened her home to foreign exchange students.
Mrs. L’Heureux was born in Seattle, Washington and studied English, journalism and political science. She then moved to New York City to work in publicity and promotions for a small publishing house. It was in New York that she met and married her husband, Hap. The couple moved to the city of Carlsbad 33 years ago where Mrs. L'Heureux began two full time jobs, raising a family and participating in civic life.
Hap L'Heureux remembers that his wife was very determined from the beginning to get involved in the community. "When we got married, one of the bargains was: I would work and she would stay home, raise the family and be involved in volunteering and other community activities," Hap said.
Lyttleton, who has worked side by side with Mrs. L'Heureux on various volunteer projects, has begun contacting the city regarding renaming the dog park in Ann L'Heureux's honor saying it would be "the perfect tribute."
Mrs. L'Heureux is survived by her husband and a daughter, Stephanie L’Heureux of Osaka, Japan.