04/17/2023
The North County LGBTQ+ Resource Center is saddened by the sudden passing of Leea Pronovost on Easter Sunday. Leea first came to the Center in 2018 and helped countless individuals through her work as Unicorn Homes Case Manager before moving into the role of Grants Manager. But Leea’s involvement in helping others didn’t begin in Oceanside.
Leea impacted many lives and our North County Center was so lucky to have her knowledge, guidance, friendship and humor. Many of us called Leea our sister and knew her to be a fierce advocate for LGBTQIA rights and the Mission of organization.
Our sincere and loving condolences go out to Leea’s family her from coast to coast, her partner and her son Gabriel.
Leea was born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts. She became interested in religion and spirituality as a teenager but the Roman Catholic religion she was raised in created early struggles for her as she examined her own authentic identity. Leea was assigned male at birth and eventually came to learn that her reality went beyond the binary restrictions of that faith. After a near-death experience in 2006 Leea began her own transition and ultimately identified as Two Spirit. Through her own transition she realized how little support was available and worked to fill that void, becoming an advocate, coach, mentor, and activist for so many in the LGBTQIA2S+ community.
Before coming to the Center, Leea spent time working in the aerospace industry as a quality engineer and then built a 37-year career in telecommunications. Her technical knowledge earned her the unofficial title of “Center IT Support,” something that was critically needed during the height of the pandemic as so many of our programs and activities went online. Throughout her life, Leea created and maintained critical lines of connection for so many.
Leea’s genuine warmth, subtle smile, and heart-felt passion will be missed by us all. No passing is ever easy, but in communities like ours, no one ever really leaves, even when they are no longer physically with us. Found family is forever family, and Leea will always have a place in our memories and hearts.