Who was Luce?

by Claire LeBlanc

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Luce was an exceptionally bright and

dedicated soul who stood apart from others

in her commitment to serve. She was an

advocate for the Deaf and the Deaf/Blind.

She fought for social justice, was a champion

of the oppressed and marginalized, and she

celebrated diversity. Luce was a gifted writer,

and she used her many creative talents for

the betterment of her community. Because

of ASL and the Deaf community my daughter

had an amazing life, full of valuable

relationships and rich, fulfilling experiences. 

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Luce was given the name Victoria at birth,

but in the last three years of her life my

daughter preferred to be called Luce.

A few months before her fourth birthday

she received her profoundly deaf diagnosis.

Shortly thereafter, she began to learn ASL

and it became her preferred mode of communication.

 

In a signing environment, my daughter began to blossom, and then to thrive. As a high school English teacher I wanted to ensure that my daughter had the best opportunities to be successful and happy in her education and in life. I came to understand the importance and the significance of ASL and the Deaf community. I learned ASL and interpreted for my daughter.

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My daughter was educationally  tested, and found

to be gifted. She excelled in academics —

especially in English and in writing; she

had so many interests and talents,

including reading, writing, acting,

ballet, fencing, drawing, sewing,

vlogging, blogging, poetry.

Throughout it all she

cherished ASL and the

Deaf community. 

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I am most proud

of my daughter because

she was deeply committed to

using her gifts to serve the Deaf

community and others. Luce was a

Deaf Youth Today (DYT) camper for many

years, and then she became a valuable DYT staff

member. In addition, she was a graduate of Deaf Children's Society (DCS), and a graduate of British Colombia School for the Deaf (BCSD, 2004). She worked for a time for Greater Vancouver Association of the Deaf. Upon graduating from Gallaudet in 2014, Luce moved to Seattle, where she worked for Abused Deaf Womens’ Advocacy Services (ADWAS), and served on the board of Deaf Spotlight. She  worked as a stage manager and a costume designer and also worked part-time as a service provider to Deaf clients who had additional disabilities.

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After Luce passed away at the age of thirty-two from rare lung diseases on October 15, 2018, her former professors in the English and Theatre Arts Departments at Gallaudet University requested that a Memorial Scholarship be established in her name. An endowment fund has been set up, and it will be fully endowed at $25,000 USD by 2025, if not sooner. See link:  https://www.gallaudet.edu/office-of-development/victoria-leblanc/

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Luce touched many hearts with her playful, loving, and caring spirit. Luce made an impact and a difference. Professors and others at Gallaudet have described her as “a force to be reckoned with,” and “phenomenal.” Her light will continue to shine through this scholarship, which will keep her legacy alive by paying it forward.