Obituary of Joanne Elezena McLeod

Dr. Joanne (MacArthur) McLeod died peacefully at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital in Fredericton on Sunday, September 7, 2025, surrounded by family and friends. She was born in Woodstock, New Brunswick, and lived at Eel Lake, Canterbury Parish, in her youth.

Joanne was predeceased by her husband, Gordon McLeod; parents, Alexander “Sandy” and Elezena (Brown) MacArthur; infant brother, Hubert Allen; dear paternal grandparents, John and Ellen (Graham) MacArthur; maternal grandparents, Hubert and Ida MacKay; brother-in-law, Perley Embleton, and nephew, Kenny Embleton.

She is survived by her only sibling, Bobbie MacArthur-Embleton, of Fredericton; close friends, Janet and Arnold Crawford, Karen Hayward, Carolann Doherty, Haifa Miller, Bob Lemanski and William Walker; niece, Zenny Nequin Embleton, as well as extended family. She also leaves behind a large circle of friends at St. Anne’s Court, and Frederick Hall, Shannex.

Following a car accident at the age of 15 which left her a paraplegic, Joanne chose the opportunity to be the voice for home-bound persons with similar disabilities. Her determination to advocate for others led Joanne to break many barriers throughout her life, championing inclusivity and accessibility in every community she touched. Her tireless commitment to making a difference inspired those around her. Her legacy continues through the countless lives she has impacted.

Joanne McLeod was the first disabled person to graduate from UNB with a law degree, and was later called to the Queen’s Council. She was the first woman in Canada to be appointed Executive Director of the Canadian Paraplegic Association, the NB Division. After obtaining her law degree, Joanne joined the Department of Justice, and was the first woman appointed Deputy Registrar of the Supreme Court of NB, now known as the Court of Appeal.

As legal counsel for the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission, she earned the 1991 Individual Human Rights Achievement Award from the International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies. Awarded for heroic effort to humankind, MacArthur-McLeod was also awarded the Order of Canada, the Queen’s Jubilee, the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow Recognition Award, and the Order of New Brunswick, as well as an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Moncton.

In the summer preceding her passing, Dr. Joanne McLeod conducted a public presentation co-hosting with her sister, Bobbie MacArthur-Embleton, as part of a trio. During this event, Dr. McLeod shared excerpts from her biography, The Wheelchair Warrior, offering insight into her life and advocacy. This presentation reflected her continued commitment to raising awareness and supporting persons with disabilities, even in her final months. With her characteristic strong and articulate voice, she not only shared excerpts from her story, but also provided engaging background details, enriching the audience’s understanding of her journey.

The family wishes to thank the staff at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital, Shannex, St. Anne’s Court, and particularly Anjali Premkumar.

A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 2 pm in the J.A McAdam Memorial Chapel, with The Very Rev. Geoffrey Hall officiating. For those unable to attend, a livestream will be available to watch at https://vimeo.com/event/5371882. Interment will take place in Forest Hill Cemetery. Donations in memory of Joanne may be made to Abilities NB.