Obituary: Margaret Y. (Bolduc) Leighton
Margaret Y. Bolduc Leighton, 91, Leaves Long Legacy of Service, Family, and Community
CUMBERLAND, ME — The late Margaret Yvonne (Bolduc) Leighton, a lifelong resident of Cumberland and a beloved community pillar, died quietly in her sleep on June 7, 2026, surrounded by her family at Gosnell House in Scarborough. The 91‑year‑old passed away after a life marked by devoted family ties, a dedicated career in education, and deep roots in her hometown.
Born on February 14, 1935, to Edward and Marie Bolduc, Margaret was the only daughter and the fourth of five siblings. She grew up on the family farm in Cumberland, a place that later served as the backdrop for many of her cherished memories—spending hours at the Longwoods Road train depot and riding her bike with her pet crow, “Tobey Jim,” as well as helping out at the Corey family dairy on Corey Road.
Margaret graduated from Greely Institute in 1953, where she remained connected to classmates well into her later years. A junior in high school, she met Bob Leighton; the two were married on September 4, 1954, and together built a life in Cumberland that would span 66 years of marriage until Bob’s death in 2021. They raised three children—Susan, Dennis, and Gregory—before relocating to The Villages, Florida, where they enjoyed social dancing, golf, and the company of friends. After Bob’s passing, Margaret returned to Maine and spent her final years at the Holiday Woods of Canco in Portland, supported by an exceptional caregiving team.
Margaret’s professional life began at New England Business School before she worked with Maine Central Railroad for three years. In 1967, she reentered the workforce as a secretary at Greely Junior High School, a position she held for more than 25 years. Colleagues remember her as “an institution” who knew every student and family that passed through the school’s doors. Her commitment to education earned her recognition from the Maine Principals Association, and her tenure was marked by friendship with teachers and staff alike.
An avid golfer, Margaret boasted that she achieved three holes‑in‑one in her lifetime—an anecdote she often shared with her sons when they played together. Outside of work, she was a fixture at family gatherings in Cumberland, often seen cheering at her grandchildren’s events and sports games or cooking up a storm for the extended family.
Margaret was predeceased by her husband Bob; parents Edward and Marie; all four of her brothers—Gerard, Roger, Edward, and Philip—as well as several in‑laws. She leaves behind her children Susan (Doug) Brown, Dennis Leighton, and Gregory (Vicki) Leighton; 13 grandchildren, including Robert, Jessica (Danny), Matthew (Carly), Devon (Sean), Brett (Anna), Amanda, and Brad (Kaleigh); and 10 great‑grandchildren—Aiden, Cayden, Colby, Casey, Spencer, Madison, Wesley, Kylie, and Azalea. She is also survived by sisters‑in‑law Lorraine Webber, Fay and Donna Bolduc, and Bertha Gardiner, as well as a large network of nieces and nephews.
The family extends its gratitude to the care teams at Holiday Woods at Canco, Loving Angels Senior Care, New England Cancer Specialists, and Gosnell House for their compassion and support during Margaret’s final days.
A visitation will be held on Friday, June 26, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Lindquist Funeral Home in Yarmouth. A Christian burial Mass will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 27, at Sacred Heart Church, also in Yarmouth. Margaret will be interred at Moss Side Cemetery in Cumberland, followed by a reception at Val Halla Golf Course in Cumberland from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Family members and friends are encouraged to share memories or condolences online at the Lindquist Funeral Home website. In lieu of flowers, donations in Margaret’s name to a chosen charity are welcomed.
Margaret’s life exemplified steadfast dedication to family, community, and service—a legacy that will resonate in Cumberland for generations to come.
