Julie Zitzmann LeBlanc

Julie Zitzmann LeBlanc was born on October 14, 1965, in New Orleans, Louisiana. She had many roles: wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother (Oma), aunt, cousin, friend, co-worker, and mentor. Julie lived with a fervor and a love for life. She faced a brave, six-year battle with metastatic uveal melanoma, a rare eye cancer, and passed away peacefully in her home in Vicksburg, Mississippi on January 9, 2025, at the age of 59. We are deeply saddened by her passing. The world was a better place with Julie in it; she will truly be missed. 

As a child Julie was curious and always looked for new horizons to discover. She attended St. Raphael Elementary School and Academy of the Holy Angels High School. She enjoyed spending summer days visiting her grandparents in Waveland, Mississippi with her sisters and many cousins. Julie was married for 40 years to her teenage sweetheart, Chuck LeBlanc. They have two beloved daughters, Lydia and Juliette, and one grandson, Miles. 

Julie earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of New Orleans.  She was employed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mississippi Valley Division as a project manager and Chief of Hydraulics and Hydrologics. Julie’s career at the Corps spanned thirty-three years. Julie was a member of the Louisiana Levee Board and also worked for the Louisiana Department of Public Health working for drinking water purification. She was honored by AWOP for her dedication to the protection of public health and unwavering support for the national Area Wide Optimization Program. Julie was smart, ambitious, organized, and loved her work. 

Philanthropy was a way of life for Julie who championed many causes, one of which was animal welfare. Julie paired her love of antique Volkswagens and animals at Buggin the Big Easy, a fundraiser for local animal shelters. Julie couldn’t tolerate seeing an animal in pain, so she often rescued animals' others neglected or did not want. Julie admitted, “I married a wonderful, patient man who let me have my heart’s desire. He never said no to an animal in need and let me care for, raise, and (sometimes) keep strays that others abandoned or caused harm.”  Julie adored her pets who gave her joy and comfort, especially her dog Lucy who remained faithfully by her side.  

 Advocating for young girls was another way Julie gave back to her community. To provide a positive outlet and guidance, Julie was an active Girl Scout volunteer for over twenty-seven years having served as troop leader, mentor, service unit cookie manager, and day camp director in New Orleans East/Gentilly. Julie also served on the Board of Directors of Girl Scouts Louisiana East for years and received the Women of Distinction Award for her dedication and work for the Girl Scouts of America.  Julie respected the organization so much that she named her younger daughter after the Girl Scout founder, Juliette Gordon Lowe. 

Julie loved nature and thrilling adventures such as hiking, parasailing, white water rafting, rollercoasters and excursions in the camper with her husband. Julie also shared these ventures with her daughters and her good friend Alicia who shared Julie’s love of the outdoors. Many of our memories of Julie will be of her perched on the front tip of the raft rushing down the Ocoee River in Tennessee with the wind in her hair and the water splashing her face. 

Music was a big part of Julie’s life. Donny Osmond was her first love, but heavy metal was Julie’s favorite music genre. She treasured the song, “Dreamer” by Ozzy Ozbourne. The words echo Julie’s anthem and her dreams for the world, which include taking care of “Mother Earth,” the end of “hate and bigotry,” and making the world “a better place.” 

Although Julie received a devastating diagnosis, she fiercely played the hand she was dealt and faced her diagnosis with acceptance, dignity, transparency, and above all positivity. She continued to live her life with exuberance, retained her quirky sense of humor, and focused on gaining knowledge and educating others about her rare disease. Julie bravely participated in support groups, engaged in forums, and meticulously wrote detailed journals and Facebook posts describing her medical journey to increase awareness of ocular melanoma. Julie fought with a strength and clarity we all admire. 

Julie is survived by her husband, Charles LeBlanc; her daughters Lydia and Juliette LeBlanc; her grandson Miles Slay; her parents Charles and Jean Zitzmann; her sisters Michele Bache (Robert) and Christy Bonnaffons (Lou); her nieces and nephews Camille and Leo Bache, Renee, Mason, and Blythe Bonnaffons. Julie is preceded in death by her nephew Ethan Bache. 

To honor Julie, sing a little louder, smile more often, and reflect on what you can do to make the lyrics from her favorite Ozzy song ring true: 

“I’m just a dreamer. I dream my life away. 

I’m just a dreamer who dreams of better days.”  

Please join us for a Celebration of Life, Saturday, January 18, 2025, at noon on The Roof, Key City Brewery in Vicksburg, Mississippi. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Julie’s name to A Cure in Sight and Eye on Grace Foundation. 

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